This is the official Quartermaster's description of C-Rations used in Vietnam

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."

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 Units

B-2 Units

B-3 Units

*Accessory Pack

How to make a C-Ration Stove

The small cans included in the meal were ideal for making a stove. Using a "John Wayne" pierce a series of closely spaced holes around the top and bottom rims of the can. This stove was satisfactory, but did not allow enough oxygen to enter which caused incomplete burning of the blue Trioxin heat tablet, causing fumes which  irritated the eyes and respiratory tract. A whole heat tab had to be used.

A better stove was created by simply using the can opener end of a "church key" (a flat metal device designed to open soft drink and beer containers with a bottle opener on one end and can opener on the other commonly used before the invention of the pull tab and screw-off bottle top) to puncture triangular holes around the top and bottom rims of the can which resulted in a hotter fire and much less fumes. With this type of stove only half a Trioxin heat tab was needed to heat the meal and then the other half could be used to heat water for coffee or cocoa. A small chunk of C-4 explosive could also be  substituted for the Trioxin tablet for faster heating. It would burn hotter and was much better for heating water.
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A stove was usually carried in the back pack or cargo pocket and used repeatedly until the metal began to fail.

How to Heat a C-Ration Meal

1. Choose the meal to be consumed
2. Open the can lid leaving at least 1/4 inch metal attached
3. Bend the stillattached lid so that the inside of the can lid is facing 180 degreese from it's  original position (inside up).
4. Bend the edges of the can to form a handle
5. Set meal on stove and heat to desired temperature, stirring fequently to prevent burning.

   "Outstanding" Ham & Mothers

   • Open and heat a can of Ham and Lima Beans
   • When hot, add one can of cheese spread and stir until all cheese is melted.
   • Crumble 4 crackers into the mixture and blend thouroughly.
   • Eat when the crackers have absorbed all excess moisture.

How to make a  C-Ration Coffee Cup

1. Obtain the B (large, dry) can from the C-ration meal 
2. Follow steps 2 thru 4 in How to Heat a C-Ration Meal above.

Deluxe (reusable) Version*

1. Remove the top of the can completely.
2. Obtain 2 lengths of the bailing wire off of the C-Ration case.
3. Obtain a solid, sturdy stick about 4 inches long.
4. Notch out a groove around the stick near both ends.
5. Wrap each length of wire around both top & bottom ends of the can and twist the wire around itself leaving enough twisted wire to twist around the grooves in both ends of the stick 1 inch from the can creating a very nice handle.
6. Trim off excess wire.