The Good Old Days: Free cigarettes in C-rats

[Gary Hall]

As a consequence of being a recent survivor of my 1st dose of congestive heart failure (age 76) I spend a lot of time looking at flowers, grass and trees as well as remembering a lot of stupidity and foolishness participated in along the way. The last box of C-rations I opened was in Sept., 1951. There were always 2-3 cigarettes in each box of 3 meals and I always used these as trading material. I don't know how or why but I was never a smoker; to this dayI have never bought a package of cigarettes. Can anyone tell me, are cigarettes still packaged in the field rations? I'd like to know. One of the big disadvantages of living so long is that it seems as if too much of life's remembrances are mainly of stupidity, my own certainly. I suppose then the remedy is to get started on a pathway of careful choices, as early as possible. As an oilfield worker I've heard the term "oilfield trash" frequently & nearly always flinched somewhat until I began to look around & consider the many brands of trash I was surrounded by. There's a lot of it, let me tell you some time about the Congressional Tobacco Hearings, the day Senator Ron Wyden asked the panel of the several CEO's of the tobacco companies if cigarettes were addictive. In closing, don't worry, as the 1970's comedy team of Rowan & Martin used to close with: "Light 'em up folks, if you've got 'em.". Happy 4th of July, Gary Hall. W-3-1, 1950 - 51.

[bigdog43701]

gary...judt to let you know we used to get them (3 cigs per pac) in the C rats in nam and i think they were still in there during the 70's

[Zulu 36]

gary...judt to let you know we used to get them (3 cigs per pac) in the C rats in nam and i think they were still in there during the 70's

Yes, they still packaged cigs in C-Rats into the 70's. It stopped somewhere around the middle of the decade or so, and of course, never put them in MREs.

[DWG]

I think the smokes Gary got in the 50s were the same ones we got in the 60s! As in, manufactured at the same time!
:scared:

[blackwatch14]

The C-Rats I got in the 70's were dated 1945 and they had cigarettes in them too.

[Ed Palmer]

Now you are talking about Lucky Strike Green,s
Old Gold and Chesterfields, Phillip Morris Browns,Palmalls, and
a coupla of others I cant seem to recall< but they were all nasty when you opened them up as they were so old that the nicotine was starting to leach out of them.

[davblay]

Yep the last box of "C" rats I opened in 1971 (packaged in 1946) had a package of four "LUCKY STRIKES" and a pack of matches, chewing gum, toilet paper, 1 napkin, 1 meat, 1 bread product (CRACKERS), 1 fruit and sometimes 1 can of cake! As I recall!

[Gary Hall]

Marines, kindest regards to all those who responded to my post. The comments are most appreciated. I was in the Corps from ages 16 to 21, the most significant learning experience of my life and I hope the institution of the USMC outlasts eternity. My only regret is that I could have done better and will always have to live with the regret and failure. I'd like to eat another box of C-rats (I really did like them all),and fall in with the 1st platoon of 03's that happens along; thanks SSgt Gardner, Gunny Kastner, Msgt George, 1st Sgt Zullo; Thanks Col. Puller. Gary Hall, W-3-1.

[Manymoonsago]

In the late 60's early 70's I remember that there were 4 cigarettes in the C-rations. I still remember the B-2 units having cheese and crackers which is mainly what I cared about. We had all kinds of brands of cigarettes in them but I never recall seeing any luckies with the green label although I remember hearing about them in ITR. Anyway, quit in 1992, wisest thing I ever done.

[marinegreen]

Was eating C-rats until I got out in 79, was getting them with cigs every so often and they were dated clear back to 1958 and were made in RED OAK ,Ia. My fav. was the beef and rocks, use to melt my cheese,crumble my crackers real good, and then mixed it all in and splashed in about 8-10 sprinkles of tobasco sause, that was some good stuff.

[Old Marine]

Now you are talking about Lucky Strike Green,s
Old Gold and Chesterfields, Phillip Morris Browns,Palmalls, and
a coupla of others I cant seem to recall< but they were all nasty when you opened them up as they were so old that the nicotine was starting to leach out of them.

Hey Ed:

How about Wings, Camels, Hit parades.

[Sgt Jim]

you could use those cigarettes as shelter half stakes,or smoke them

[sparkie]

I,m fresh out of those cigaretts, but I still have a C Rat toilet paper in my tackle box. Don't think it's too stale. ;]

And a John Wayne.of course

[Dave Coup]

Sparkie that TP was kinda flimsy in '69. I'd be wary of breah through if I were you LOL

SF

Dave

[Phantom Blooper]

C-RATS

This is the official Quartermaster's description of C-Rations used in Vietnam
"The Meal, Combat, Individual, is designed for issue as the tactical situation dictates, either in individual units as a meal or in multiples of three as a complete ration. Its characteristics emphasize utility, flexibility of use, and more variety of food components than were included in the Ration, Combat, Individual (C Ration) which it replaces. Twelve different menus are included in the specification.
Each menu contains: one canned meat item; one canned fruit, bread or dessert item;
one B unit; an accessory packet containing cigarettes, matches, chewing gum, toilet paper, coffee, cream, sugar, and salt; and a spoon. Four can openers are provided in each case of 12 meals. Although the meat item can be eaten cold, it is more palatable when heated.

Each complete meal contains approximately 1200 calories. The daily ration of 3 meals provides approximately 3600 calories."




There were 4 choices of meat in each B group. Because there were several "vintages" of C's issued to the Marines in Vietnam, more than 4 items may be listed in the B groups as well as the brands of cigarettes included in the accessory pack.

B-1 Units
Meat Choices (in small cans):
Beef Steak
Ham and Eggs, Chopped
Ham Slices
Turkey Loaf
Fruit:
Applesauce
Fruit Cocktail
Peaches
Pears
Crackers (7)
Peanut Butter
Candy Disc, Chocolate
Solid Chocolate
Cream
Coconut
Accessory Pack*

B-2 Units
Meat Choices (in larger cans):
Beans and Wieners
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Beefsteak, Potatoes and Gravy
Ham and Lima Beans
Meatballs and Beans
Crackers (4)
Cheese Spread, Processed
Caraway
Pimento
Fruit Cake
Pecan Roll
Pound Cake
Accessory Pack* B-3 Units
Meat Choices (in small cans):
Boned Chicken
Chicken and Noodles
Meat Loaf
Spiced Beef
Bread, White
Cookies (4)
Cocoa Beverage Powder
Jam
Apple
Berry
Grape
Mixed Fruit
Strawberry
Accessory Pack*



*Accessory Pack

Spoon, Plastic
Salt
Pepper
Coffee, Instant
Sugar
Creamer, Non-dairy
Gum, 2 Chicklets
Cigarettes, 4 smokes/pack
Winston
Marlboro
Salem
Pall Mall
Camel
Chesterfield
Kent
Lucky Strike
Kool
Matches, Moisture Resistant
Toilet Paper

[sparkie]

Oh yea, still have a pack of matches too. What about that tabasco,,, remember?

[Gary Hall]

Thanks for the interesting data about rations. I remember this thoroughness as being typical for every aspect of Marines life, in the field and everywhere, total thoroughness at all times in all things. I've since been many places and experienced numerous circumstances but the bottom line remains nobody provided better than the USMC. I remain appreciative. Gary Hall, Tyler, TX