Spam, Anyone?
This next story was written by my grandfather about ten years ago, and he was gracious enough to allow me to post it here. One of the things that I love about this piece is that it takes place in the early 1940s, shortly before my grandfather moved to Bridgeton. At that point in his life, he was stationed in the South Pacific and was not sure whether he would ever make it out alive. He had yet to meet the Golden Girl, had yet to have five children, and had no idea he would one day become a Bridgeton Legend…
Spam, Anyone?
A Memory of World War II
by Robert P. McCormick
22nd Marine Regiment
2nd Separate Tank Co.
On the atoll of Eniwetok, the prevailing winds never seemed to cease. The 22nd Marine Regiment having recently acquired the real estate from the Imperial Japanese Forces were bivouacked here, there, and everywhere on the atoll.
Food was scare, but adequate for survival. K-rations and cans of Van Camps beans were the main staple with plenty of hot coffee. The Navy Medical Corps decreed that screened Company Mess Halls and cooking areas were a requirement to prevent illness before the usual cooked food was provided. This was due to the masses of flies on the recently deceased Imperial Forces. Strenuous methods were employed to inter the remains properly.
In every group of men or women gathered together for whatever cause, there are to be found some enterprising individuals whose minds, innate abilities and inventiveness will improve most situations. One such individual named Schultz, from Minny-sotah (nicknamed, of course, "Dutch"), provided those of us near or in his circle of friends with a long lasting memory.
Spam was in much use during World War II, especially wherever I happened to be. Spam sandwiches with catsup, even today, give me reason to pause---Spam stew, even more so. So much spam was available that I actually saw cases of Spam used to construct holding cells for those Marines who attempted to circumvent the strict rules and regulations. Thirty days on bread and water was not unusual.
Dutch Schultz was not to be denied. A can of Spam and a can of condensed milk, along with a tooth-busting chocolate bar from K-rations provided a real tasty treat and much good fellowship. Dutch's recipe will never be forgotten by me. Slice the Spam into1/4 inch slices. Fry in your mess kit over a medium flame until crispy on both sides. Shave the chocolate bar with your ever handy knife into a can of condensed milk and a can of water. Heat over a medium flame and stir well.
Just imagine the dark of night, a million stars, a new moon, the ever-present ocean breeze under a tent tarp with eight or ten other Marines singing barber shop melodies and eating and drinking the Spam and cocoa. Even today, for me, it is an unforgettable memory. I quite often enjoy at home crispy fried Spam with eggs over easy.
I often wonder how those good men are and hope they have been as fortunate enough as I in these years since the successful conclusion of World War II.
E-mail stories to getaholdofkyle@yahoo.com
Spam, Anyone?
A Memory of World War II
by Robert P. McCormick
22nd Marine Regiment
2nd Separate Tank Co.
On the atoll of Eniwetok, the prevailing winds never seemed to cease. The 22nd Marine Regiment having recently acquired the real estate from the Imperial Japanese Forces were bivouacked here, there, and everywhere on the atoll.
Food was scare, but adequate for survival. K-rations and cans of Van Camps beans were the main staple with plenty of hot coffee. The Navy Medical Corps decreed that screened Company Mess Halls and cooking areas were a requirement to prevent illness before the usual cooked food was provided. This was due to the masses of flies on the recently deceased Imperial Forces. Strenuous methods were employed to inter the remains properly.
In every group of men or women gathered together for whatever cause, there are to be found some enterprising individuals whose minds, innate abilities and inventiveness will improve most situations. One such individual named Schultz, from Minny-sotah (nicknamed, of course, "Dutch"), provided those of us near or in his circle of friends with a long lasting memory.
Spam was in much use during World War II, especially wherever I happened to be. Spam sandwiches with catsup, even today, give me reason to pause---Spam stew, even more so. So much spam was available that I actually saw cases of Spam used to construct holding cells for those Marines who attempted to circumvent the strict rules and regulations. Thirty days on bread and water was not unusual.
Dutch Schultz was not to be denied. A can of Spam and a can of condensed milk, along with a tooth-busting chocolate bar from K-rations provided a real tasty treat and much good fellowship. Dutch's recipe will never be forgotten by me. Slice the Spam into1/4 inch slices. Fry in your mess kit over a medium flame until crispy on both sides. Shave the chocolate bar with your ever handy knife into a can of condensed milk and a can of water. Heat over a medium flame and stir well.
Just imagine the dark of night, a million stars, a new moon, the ever-present ocean breeze under a tent tarp with eight or ten other Marines singing barber shop melodies and eating and drinking the Spam and cocoa. Even today, for me, it is an unforgettable memory. I quite often enjoy at home crispy fried Spam with eggs over easy.
I often wonder how those good men are and hope they have been as fortunate enough as I in these years since the successful conclusion of World War II.
E-mail stories to getaholdofkyle@yahoo.com
posted by Kyle at 12:10 PM
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