39 Uses for the P38
This list of P-38 uses was compiled by Steve Wilson, MSG Proponent NCO, Dept. of the Army Office of the Chief of Chaplains, The Pentagon. It is posted at the Ft. Bliss Air Defense Artillery Museum among other places:
1. Can Opener
2. Seam Ripper
3. Screwdriver
4. Clean Fingernails
5. Cut Fishing Line
6. Open Paint Cans
7. Window Scraper
8. Scrape Around Floor Corners
9. Digging
10. Clean Out Groove on Tupperware lids
11. Reach in and Clean Out Small Cracks
12. Scrape Around Edge of Boots
13. Bottle Opener
14. Gut Fish (in the field)
15. Scale Fish (in the field)
16. Test for 'Doneness' When Baking on a Camp Fire
17. Prying Items
18. Strip Wire
19. Scrape Pans in the Field
20. Lift Key on Flip Top Cans
21. Chisel
22. Barter
23. Marking Tool
24. Deflating Tires
25. Clean Sole of Boot/Shoe
26. Pick Teeth
27. Measurement
28. Striking Flint
29. Stirring Coffee
30. Puncturing Plastic Coating
31. Knocking on Doors
32. Morse Code
33. Box Cutter
34. Opening Letters
35. Write Emergency Messages
36. Scratch an Itch
37. Save as a Souvenir
38. Rip Off Rank for On-the-Spot Promotions
39. Bee sting removal tool (scrape off w/ blade)
I also add it can be used as a ruler. It is 1 1/2 inches long.
Do you have any P-38 stories to share?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
P-38 Can Opener
P-38 Can Opener
During the WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars when GI's were ready to devour their delicious meals of K or C-Rations they used their trusty P-38s to open the cans. It wasn't the famous WWII fighter plane or a German pistol, it was an amazingly simple little piece of 1-1/2 inch stamped metal that was developed in just 30 days during the Summer of 1942 by the Subsistence Research Laboratory in Chicago.
It's official designation is 'US ARMY POCKET CAN OPENER' or 'OPENER, CAN, HAND, FOLDING, TYPE I', but it is more commonly known aas the P-38, which it supposedly acquired from the 38 Punctures required to open a C-Ration can.
It is also known by many as a "John Wayne" by those in the Navy and Marines because he was shown opening a can of C-Rations using a P-38 in a WWII training film. From then on Sailors and Marines referred to them as a "John Wayne".
Originally P-38s came wrapped in brown Kraft paper packets with a diagram and directions how to use printed on it. This is the information taken directly from the wrapper:
CAN OPENER DIRECTIONS
Open blade. Place opener as shown in diagram. Twist down to puncture slot in can top inside rim. Cut top by advancing opener with rocking mo-tion. Take small bites.
STERILIZE BEFORE RE-USE
Tie string through hole in opener to wash and ster-ilize with mess-gear if possible. When boiling water is unavailable, clean opener as thorough-ly as possible and hold cutting blade over a match flame a few sec-onds immediately before use.
About a dozen P-38s came packed in a case of C-Rations. Because everyone was hoarding them only 3 were included in a case. These handy gadgets have adorned the dog tag chains and key rings of WWII, Korean and Vietnam war vets ever since opening their first can of C-rats with one. I wear one on my dog tag chain. The word SHELBY is almost worn off. I also have one on my car key chain and mototcyle key chain.
GIs held C-Ration can opening races using P-38s which were usually won by who could open a C-rat can in less time than it takes to read this sentence.
During the WWII, Korean and Vietnam Wars when GI's were ready to devour their delicious meals of K or C-Rations they used their trusty P-38s to open the cans. It wasn't the famous WWII fighter plane or a German pistol, it was an amazingly simple little piece of 1-1/2 inch stamped metal that was developed in just 30 days during the Summer of 1942 by the Subsistence Research Laboratory in Chicago.
It's official designation is 'US ARMY POCKET CAN OPENER' or 'OPENER, CAN, HAND, FOLDING, TYPE I', but it is more commonly known aas the P-38, which it supposedly acquired from the 38 Punctures required to open a C-Ration can.
It is also known by many as a "John Wayne" by those in the Navy and Marines because he was shown opening a can of C-Rations using a P-38 in a WWII training film. From then on Sailors and Marines referred to them as a "John Wayne".
Originally P-38s came wrapped in brown Kraft paper packets with a diagram and directions how to use printed on it. This is the information taken directly from the wrapper:
CAN OPENER DIRECTIONS
Open blade. Place opener as shown in diagram. Twist down to puncture slot in can top inside rim. Cut top by advancing opener with rocking mo-tion. Take small bites.
STERILIZE BEFORE RE-USE
Tie string through hole in opener to wash and ster-ilize with mess-gear if possible. When boiling water is unavailable, clean opener as thorough-ly as possible and hold cutting blade over a match flame a few sec-onds immediately before use.
About a dozen P-38s came packed in a case of C-Rations. Because everyone was hoarding them only 3 were included in a case. These handy gadgets have adorned the dog tag chains and key rings of WWII, Korean and Vietnam war vets ever since opening their first can of C-rats with one. I wear one on my dog tag chain. The word SHELBY is almost worn off. I also have one on my car key chain and mototcyle key chain.
GIs held C-Ration can opening races using P-38s which were usually won by who could open a C-rat can in less time than it takes to read this sentence.
How to make Chipped Beef on Toast. (also known as S.O.S.)
Chipped Beef on Toast(a.k.a. Creamed Beef on Toast, S.O.S., Shit on a Shingle)
Remember SOS? Of course you do! We've all eaten this culinary delight, and some even developed a taste for it. Depending upon who prepared it, SOS could be pretty good, especially if you were starving.
Here is an official U.S. Army recipe for Chipped Beef on Toast or S.O.S. (my dad and step dad both were mess sergeants at one time during their military careers):
CREAMED BEEF ON TOAST (S.O.S.)
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 tbsp. sifted flour
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup water
2 tbsp. butter
Brown ground beef in its own fat. Remove excess fat and save to make the gravy.
Season with salt and pepper.
To make the gravy, place 2 tbsp. reserved fat in a heavy pan.
Slowly add sifted flour, stirring constantly over low heat until thoroughly blended.
Cook for five minutes. Do not brown.
Combine milk and water.
Add butter and scald (not burn) in heavy pan.
Add gravy to scalded milk, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended.
Add meat mixture and cook about 10 minutes, or until desired consistency.
Serve on toast.
Of course, the real recipe used to feed E Company, 502nd, 101st Airborne at the Mess Hall had the measures written in buckets, shovels, fists and other measures that we're probably better off not knowing.
Airborne!!!
All the way!!!!
Remember SOS? Of course you do! We've all eaten this culinary delight, and some even developed a taste for it. Depending upon who prepared it, SOS could be pretty good, especially if you were starving.
Here is an official U.S. Army recipe for Chipped Beef on Toast or S.O.S. (my dad and step dad both were mess sergeants at one time during their military careers):
CREAMED BEEF ON TOAST (S.O.S.)
1/2 lb. ground beef
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 tbsp. sifted flour
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup water
2 tbsp. butter
Brown ground beef in its own fat. Remove excess fat and save to make the gravy.
Season with salt and pepper.
To make the gravy, place 2 tbsp. reserved fat in a heavy pan.
Slowly add sifted flour, stirring constantly over low heat until thoroughly blended.
Cook for five minutes. Do not brown.
Combine milk and water.
Add butter and scald (not burn) in heavy pan.
Add gravy to scalded milk, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended.
Add meat mixture and cook about 10 minutes, or until desired consistency.
Serve on toast.
Of course, the real recipe used to feed E Company, 502nd, 101st Airborne at the Mess Hall had the measures written in buckets, shovels, fists and other measures that we're probably better off not knowing.
Airborne!!!
All the way!!!!
C-Ration Ammo Can Cooking
Take one empty ammo can, a loose round could change the taste of your field meal.
Empty the Beef Steak from a B-1 Unit, Beef Steak, Potatoes and Gravy from a B-2 Unit and Spiced Beef from a B-3 Unit into the empty ammo can.
Add just a bit of water.
Stir over heat until thoroughly heated.
Add a splash of tobasco sauce to taste.
Feeds four civilians or two hungry grunts.
Empty the Beef Steak from a B-1 Unit, Beef Steak, Potatoes and Gravy from a B-2 Unit and Spiced Beef from a B-3 Unit into the empty ammo can.
Add just a bit of water.
Stir over heat until thoroughly heated.
Add a splash of tobasco sauce to taste.
Feeds four civilians or two hungry grunts.
C-Ration "Instant Joy"
Mix together "Peanut Butter + Crackers + Coffee + Sugar + Creamer + Coco Base Powder (Crush it all up and mix in a little water) = Instant Joy."
Or,
Take the fruit cake, pour some peach juice into the can and heat.
Anyone else have recipe's they'd like to share?
Or,
Take the fruit cake, pour some peach juice into the can and heat.
Anyone else have recipe's they'd like to share?
C-Ration accessory pack contents
C-Ration Accessory Pack Contents
Spoon, Plastic
Salt
Pepper
Coffee, Instant
Sugar
Creamer, Non-dairy
Gum, 2 Chicklets
Cigarettes, (4 smokes in a pack) Winston, Marlboro, Salem, Pall Mall, Camel, Chesterfield, Kent, Lucky Strike, Kool
Matches, Moisture Resistant
Toilet Paper
Stimulator, Dental (which was bascially a small piece of wood you chewed on to soften and spread out and use as a poor substitute for a tooth brush.)
Spoon, Plastic
Salt
Pepper
Coffee, Instant
Sugar
Creamer, Non-dairy
Gum, 2 Chicklets
Cigarettes, (4 smokes in a pack) Winston, Marlboro, Salem, Pall Mall, Camel, Chesterfield, Kent, Lucky Strike, Kool
Matches, Moisture Resistant
Toilet Paper
Stimulator, Dental (which was bascially a small piece of wood you chewed on to soften and spread out and use as a poor substitute for a tooth brush.)
C-Rations
C-RATIONS
The C-Ration, or Type C ration, was an individual canned, pre-cooked ration issued to U.S. military land forces when fresh food (A-ration) or packaged unprepared food (B-ration) prepared in mess halls or field kitchens was impractical or not available and when a survival ration (K-ration or D-ration) was insufficient. Development began in 1938, with the first rations being field tested in 1940 and wide scale adoption following soon after. Following World War II, cost concerns later caused the C-ration to be standardized for field issue regardless of environmental suitability or weight limitations.
The C ration was replaced in 1958 with the Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI). Although officially a new ration the MCI was derived from and very similar to the original C ration, and in fact continued to be called "C rations" by American troops throughout its service life (1958-1980), although this nomenclature is, in a strictly technical sense, incorrect.
"Iron Ration" (1907-1922)
The first attempt to make an individual ration for issue to soldiers in the field was the "iron ration", first introduced in 1907. It consisted of three 3-ounce cakes (made from a concoction of beef boullion powder and parched and cooked wheat), three 1-ounce bars of sweetened chocolate, and packets of salt and pepper. The ration was issued in a sealed tin packet that weighed one pound, and was designed for emergency use when the troops were unable to be supplied with food. It was later discontinued by the adoption of the "Reserve Ration", but findings from the development and use of the Iron Ration went into the development of the emergency D-ration.
"Reserve Ration" (1917-1937)
The Reserve Ration was a ration issued during the latter part of World War I to feed troops who were away from a garrison or field kitchen. It originally consisted of 12 ounces of bacon or one pound of meat (usually canned corned beef), two 8-ounce cans of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, a packet of 1.16 ounces of pre-ground coffee, a packet of 2.4 ounces of granulated sugar, and a packet of 0.16 ounces of salt. There was also a separate "tobacco ration" of 0.4 ounces of tobacco and 10 cigarette rolling papers, later replaced by brand-name machine-rolled cigarettes.
After the war, there were attempts to improve the ration based on input from the field. In 1922, the ration was reorganized to consist of 1 pound of meat (usually beef jerky), 3 ounces of canned corned beef or chocolate, 14 ounces of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, coffee and sugar. In 1925, the meat ration was replaced with canned pork and beans. In 1936, there was an attempt at variety by having an "A"-menu of corned beef and a "B"-menu of pork and beans. This was cancelled upon introduction of the new Field Ration, Type C, in 1938.
Commercially prepared meals were used in the field and at times when hot meals were not available. These meals came in a case containing 12 meals. Each meal was in it's own cardboard box, which contained the individual items sealed in cans. A can opener (called both a "John Wayne" or a "P-38") was needed to open the cans. The accessory pack with each meal was sealed in a foil pouch.
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." (It'll make a turd the size of a number ten coffee can)
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 UnitsMeat Choices (in small cans): Beef Steak, Ham and Eggs, Chopped Ham Slices, Turkey Loaf. Fruit: one can of - Applesauce, Fruit Cocktail, Peaches or Pears. Crackers (7 ea.), Peanut Butter, Solid Chocolate, and Accessory Pack.
B-2 UnitsMeat Choices (in larger cans): Beans and Wieners (my favorite), Spaghetti and Meatballs, Beefsteak, Potatoes and Gravy, Ham and Lima Beans, Meatballs and Beans, Crackers (4 ea.), Processed Cheese Spread, Fruit Cake, Pecan Roll, Pound Cake (always a good trade item, as it was excellent pound cake) Accessory Pack.
B-3 UnitsMeat Choices (in small cans): Boned Chicken, Chicken and Noodles, Meat Loaf, Spiced Beef Bread, White Cookies (4 ea.), Cocoa Beverage Powder, Jam- Apple, Berry, Grape,
Mixed Fruit, Strawberry, Accessory Pack.
The C-Ration, or Type C ration, was an individual canned, pre-cooked ration issued to U.S. military land forces when fresh food (A-ration) or packaged unprepared food (B-ration) prepared in mess halls or field kitchens was impractical or not available and when a survival ration (K-ration or D-ration) was insufficient. Development began in 1938, with the first rations being field tested in 1940 and wide scale adoption following soon after. Following World War II, cost concerns later caused the C-ration to be standardized for field issue regardless of environmental suitability or weight limitations.
The C ration was replaced in 1958 with the Meal, Combat, Individual (MCI). Although officially a new ration the MCI was derived from and very similar to the original C ration, and in fact continued to be called "C rations" by American troops throughout its service life (1958-1980), although this nomenclature is, in a strictly technical sense, incorrect.
"Iron Ration" (1907-1922)
The first attempt to make an individual ration for issue to soldiers in the field was the "iron ration", first introduced in 1907. It consisted of three 3-ounce cakes (made from a concoction of beef boullion powder and parched and cooked wheat), three 1-ounce bars of sweetened chocolate, and packets of salt and pepper. The ration was issued in a sealed tin packet that weighed one pound, and was designed for emergency use when the troops were unable to be supplied with food. It was later discontinued by the adoption of the "Reserve Ration", but findings from the development and use of the Iron Ration went into the development of the emergency D-ration.
"Reserve Ration" (1917-1937)
The Reserve Ration was a ration issued during the latter part of World War I to feed troops who were away from a garrison or field kitchen. It originally consisted of 12 ounces of bacon or one pound of meat (usually canned corned beef), two 8-ounce cans of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, a packet of 1.16 ounces of pre-ground coffee, a packet of 2.4 ounces of granulated sugar, and a packet of 0.16 ounces of salt. There was also a separate "tobacco ration" of 0.4 ounces of tobacco and 10 cigarette rolling papers, later replaced by brand-name machine-rolled cigarettes.
After the war, there were attempts to improve the ration based on input from the field. In 1922, the ration was reorganized to consist of 1 pound of meat (usually beef jerky), 3 ounces of canned corned beef or chocolate, 14 ounces of hard bread or hardtack biscuits, coffee and sugar. In 1925, the meat ration was replaced with canned pork and beans. In 1936, there was an attempt at variety by having an "A"-menu of corned beef and a "B"-menu of pork and beans. This was cancelled upon introduction of the new Field Ration, Type C, in 1938.
Commercially prepared meals were used in the field and at times when hot meals were not available. These meals came in a case containing 12 meals. Each meal was in it's own cardboard box, which contained the individual items sealed in cans. A can opener (called both a "John Wayne" or a "P-38") was needed to open the cans. The accessory pack with each meal was sealed in a foil pouch.
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." (It'll make a turd the size of a number ten coffee can)
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 UnitsMeat Choices (in small cans): Beef Steak, Ham and Eggs, Chopped Ham Slices, Turkey Loaf. Fruit: one can of - Applesauce, Fruit Cocktail, Peaches or Pears. Crackers (7 ea.), Peanut Butter, Solid Chocolate, and Accessory Pack.
B-2 UnitsMeat Choices (in larger cans): Beans and Wieners (my favorite), Spaghetti and Meatballs, Beefsteak, Potatoes and Gravy, Ham and Lima Beans, Meatballs and Beans, Crackers (4 ea.), Processed Cheese Spread, Fruit Cake, Pecan Roll, Pound Cake (always a good trade item, as it was excellent pound cake) Accessory Pack.
B-3 UnitsMeat Choices (in small cans): Boned Chicken, Chicken and Noodles, Meat Loaf, Spiced Beef Bread, White Cookies (4 ea.), Cocoa Beverage Powder, Jam- Apple, Berry, Grape,
Mixed Fruit, Strawberry, Accessory Pack.
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