Postmark: 07/30/1943

Return Address:

Pvt. V. Misitano
Co K 342 Inf
A.P.O. 450
Camp Howze, Texas
U.S. Army

Aug. 1, 1943
Mon. Nite - 8:30

Dearest Mother,

    Just a few lines to let you know that I'm O.K. and hope that you are the same.

   Mother, I'm out on bivouac again. We came out this morn. at 6:30. We got up 4 oclock.

   We were split up into 20 men squads and tomorrow morn at 6:30 we are going to start out on our problem. It will last till Thur. eve. at 6:00. At the end of the problem we will have walked 40 mi. Tomorrow mom, we will eat breakfast at 6:00 and then when the problem starts we won't get no food unless we capture the enemy food supply posts which is our objectives all thru the problem. If we don't win the battle we don't eat, but I'm not worried about not eating because the sgt. of the squad I'm in is an Italian and a darn good one so will eat. The food that we will get are C rations. I never had one of them yet so I can't tell you what is in it but if Tony's still home I guess he could tell you.

   By the way mother, what did you think of the K rations I sent?

   Well mother, in case you don't hear from me for a few days don't worry because it will only be that I'm not able to write, but as soon as I get a little time after the problem I'll write and let you know how I am.

   I got a card from Phil and he said he had a swell time at home. He said he had a 15 day furlough. If I ever get one, it will have to be a 25 day furlough just so I'll be able to be home 5 days.

   I met my buddy and He and I went to the shore last night. We planned on going out tonight but my regiment had to go out on a bivouac.

   Well mother, I guess this is all for now, so I'll close with lots of love to you mother dear, daddy and the kids. Tell Tony I said hello and that I'm still waiting to hear from him. If I knew his address I'd write but I don't know it.

   Your loving Son,

"Jimmy"

P.S.

   Mother, do you have any money from the ten dollars left that I sent? I could use about $5 but mother if you don't have it, then don't worry about it. All I want it for is so I can go to town this wk. end. But if you don't have it or it will run you short then just forget I asked mother, and don't think I'll be mad if you can't get it, because I won't.

   Well, so long mother and god bless you and keep you safe.

   Love,

"Jimmy"

C Rations:


Photo Credit: media.defense.gov

Notes from Wikipedia:

The C-ration (officially Field Ration, Type C) was a United States military ration consisting of prepared, canned wet foods. They were intended to be served when fresh or packaged unprepared food was unavailable, and survival rations were insufficient.

Development of the C-ration began in 1938. The first rations were field-tested in 1940, and wide-scale adoption followed soon after. Operational conditions often caused the C-ration to be standardized for field issue regardless of environmental suitability or weight limitations.

The first C-ration consisted of a 16 ounces (450 g) 'meat' unit (M-unit) (reduced to 12 ounces (340 g) later. In the initial C-ration, there were only three variations of the main course: meat and beans, meat and potato hash, or meat and vegetable stew. Also issued was one bread-and-dessert can, or B-unit. Each daily ration (i.e. enough food for one soldier for one day) consisted of six 12 oz (340 g) cans (three M-units and three B-units), while an individual meal consisted of one M-unit and one B-unit.

The 12 oz (340 g) C-ration can was about 4.4 inches (11 cm) tall and 3 inches (7.6 cm) in diameter. It was made of non-corrugated tinplate, had a visible tin solder seam, and incorporated an opening strip. A key for use on the opening strip was soldered to the base of every B unit can.

The C-ration was, in general, not well liked by U.S. Army or Marine forces in World War II, who found the cans heavy and cumbersome, and the menu monotonous after a short period of time. There were also inevitable problems with product consistency given the large number of suppliers involved and the pressures of wartime production. Originally intended only for infrequent use, the exigencies of combat sometimes forced supply authorities to make the C-ration the only source of sustenance for several weeks in succession. In 1943, a ration board reviewing medical examinations of soldiers after long-term use of C-rations recommended that they be restricted to a maximum of five continuous days in the absence of supplementation with other rations.