Military

‘C-Rats’ Fueled Troops During and After World War II

November 27, 2019Department of Defense News
A soldier samples a batch of C-Rations during the Louisiana Maneuvers in the fall of 1941, just prior to America’s entry into World War II. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.

A soldier samples a batch of C-Rations during the Louisiana Maneuvers in the fall of 1941, just prior to America’s entry into World War II. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.

This article by David Vergun was originally published on Aug. 13, 2019, by the Department of Defense.


An old saying declares that an army marches on its stomach, meaning it needs food to survive, thrive and conquer.


Soldiers, sailors and Marines were often far from their mess halls, galleys and field kitchens during World War II, so they had to haul around heavy boxes of prepackaged food to survive.

The rations they carried were known as C-Rations, but were more often referred to as “C-Rats.”


C-Rations and utensils used during World War II. The key in the lower right of the photo was used to open the cans. After World War II, a miniature can opener was issued. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.

C-Rations were developed in 1938 as a replacement for reserve rations, which sustained troops during World War I, and consisted chiefly of canned corned beef or bacon and cans of hardtack biscuits, as well as ground coffee, sugar, salt and tobacco with rolling paper — not much in the way of variety.


Researchers at the Quartermaster Subsistence Research and Development Laboratory in Chicago went to work to design food products that could be kept for long time periods and were more delicious and nutritious than reserve rations.


A soldier working at the Quartermaster Subsistence Research and Development Laboratory in Chicago samples an experimental batch of C-Rations. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.

The design they came up with consisted of 12-ounce tinplate cans that were opened with a key. At first, the meals were stews, and more varieties were added as the war went on, including meat and spaghetti in tomato sauce, chopped ham, eggs and potatoes, meat and noodles, pork and beans; ham and lima beans, and chicken and vegetables.


Besides these main courses, chocolate or other candies, gum, biscuits and cigarettes were added.


When three meals a day were consumed, C-Rations provided about 3,700 calories. They could be eaten cold, but tasted better cooked.



A soldier samples a batch of C-Rations during the Louisiana Maneuvers in the fall of 1941, just prior to America’s entry into World War II. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.

Troop feedback on C-Rations often went unheeded. For instance, the ham and lima beans entree was unpopular, but it remained in the C-Ration mix until well into the Vietnam War. Two other complaints were that the food selection was monotonous and the meals were heavy to carry into combat on foot.


In 1958, C-Rations were replaced by “Meal, Combat, Individual” rations. The contents were almost identical to C-Rations, so they continued to be called C-Rats until the early 1980s, when “Meal, Ready-to-Eat” replaced them. MREs came in packages instead of cans, so they were much lighter than C-Rations.


K-Rations used during World War II. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army.

Besides C-Rations, K-Rations were also issued during World War II, but in a more limited number. These were distributed for missions of short duration, such as paratroopers participating in airborne operations.


K-Rations were lighter than C-Rations, and three meals a day netted only 2,830 calories. Soldiers complained about the taste and lack of calories, and so entrepreneurial leaders often found supplements such as rice, bread and C-Rations.


K-Rations were discontinued at the end of World War II.


Today, MREs are issued to troops. The early versions were disliked by many, so the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Massachusetts, which does food research for the Defense Department, improved the taste of MREs over time.


However, many veterans who’ve eaten both C-Rats and MREs, still have nostalgia for C-Rats and prefer them over MREs.


Department of Defense News
Department of Defense News

The Department of Defense provides the military forces needed to deter war and ensure our nation's security.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Coffee Or Die Photo
From the Team Room to Team Room Design: An Operator’s Creative Journey

BRCC partners with Team Room Design for an exclusive T-shirt release!

Coffee Or Die Photo
Get Your Viking On: The Exclusive 30 Sec Out BRCC Shirt Club Design

Thirty Seconds Out has partnered with BRCC for an exclusive shirt design invoking the God of Winter.

Grizzly Forge BRCC shirt
Limited Edition: Grizzly Forge Blades on an Awesome BRCC Shirt

Lucas O'Hara of Grizzly Forge has teamed up with BRCC for a badass, exclusive Shirt Club T-shirt design featuring his most popular knife and tiomahawk.

BRCC Limited Edition Josh Raulerson Blackbeard Skull Shirt
From Naval Service to Creative Canvas: BRCC Veteran Artist Josh Raulerson

Coffee or Die sits down with one of the graphic designers behind Black Rifle Coffee's signature look and vibe.

Medal of Honor is held up.
Biden Will Award Medal of Honor to Army Helicopter Pilot Who Rescued Soldiers in Vietnam Firefight

Biden will award the Medal of Honor to a Vietnam War Army helicopter pilot who risked his life to save a reconnaissance team from almost certain death.

dear jack mandaville
Dear Jack: Which Historic Battle Would You Want To Witness?

Ever wonder how much Jack Mandaville would f*ck sh*t up if he went back in time? The American Revolution didn't even see him coming.

west point time capsule
West Point Time Capsule Yields Centuries-Old Coins

A nearly 200-year-old West Point time capsule that at first appeared to yield little more than dust contains hidden treasure, the US Military Academy said.

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
Contact Us
© 2024 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved