VOL. II, NO.5 1 March 1969

BONG SON- The American foot soldier in Vietnam undoubtedly has a much more diversified diet than any of his predecessors in other wars.

There are two basic types of rations now offered to Infantry in the field, the C Ration, or standard canned meal, and the relatively new dehydrated Long Range Patrol (LRP) ration fondly called "lurp" and when mixed with water almost tastes like the real thing.

When the rations are passed out in the 173d Airborne Brigade, it is always a big question who will get what. Many meals and desserts are in strong favor, but others are not quite so popular. Meals, like hash and desserts like apricots are seldom in demand.

A trooper who enjoys apricots usually gets his fill. SP4 James Gavin of Wilkes Barre, Pa., says, "I'm sure glad my Mom brought me up liking those things."

As far as favorite meals go spaghetti seems to be the most popular dehydrated meal with beef and rice running a close second. Beans and franks ranks high among the canned meals.

Since the C-Rations have been changed (unpopular meals have been phased out of production), and lurps added, the food complaints have sharply declined among the Infantrymen. Together the C's and lurps make for a total of 20 different meals. Hot sauce is often added as seasoning.

As one Paratrooper succinctly summed up his diet, "it ain't too good, but it ain't too bad either."


One Spaghetti W/ Ground Meat
One pecan nut roll
One peanut butter
One B-2 unit(crackers and chocolate bar)
One plastic spoon
One accessory packet in aluminum foil


One Beans, W/Frankfurters Chunks In Tomato Sauce
One peanut butter
One date pudding
One B-2 unit(crackers and chocolate bar)
One plastic spoon
One accessory packet in aluminum foil.
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ACCESSORY PACK

 
One cigarette box (Marlboro OR Salem)
Matches
Chewing gum
Toilet paper
Instant coffee
Coffee creamer
Sugar
Salt.

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