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Every hour or so while on patrol we would take a break. During these breaks we took the opportunity to eat some nourishment and generally relax for a few minutes. We did not carry packs on patrol, so we simply put cans of food in our pockets and opened them on the breaks.

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PFC. Douglas BARTON, M-60 Gunner eating his C-rations in the bush.

C-Rations came in cans and had to be opened with a small can opener that came in the cases of C-rations which we called a" John Wayne” (later years they were referred to as a P-38).

This is the John Wayne I have carried on my key ring for over 44 years.

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Fruit, cookies, and pound cake were our favorites, but we also took along things like boned chicken, turkey loaf, and beans and wieners and other items that we usually ate cold. The least liked of the C-rations, by most marines, was the ham and lima beans. These were known to all as "ham and muthas". I actually liked them and would often trade for something they liked better prior to the patrol. I prepared them by first heating the ham and limas, and then mixing in cheese, crackers, and several drops of Tabasco which was a decent tasting meal.

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After returning from patrol in the late afternoon, we were always able to enjoy a regular hot meal with milk and, sometimes, ice cream available at Payable's Chow Hall. The tables were sheets of plywood set on top 55 gallon drums. I had received a jar of Skippy peanut butter and a jar of Smucker’s black berry jam and was sharing it with a couple of my buddies.