Title: Mess kit

Identifier: Country Doctor Museum   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/14342)

Description: This mess kit was manufactured in 1944 by Leyse, a cookware manufacturer. A mess kit is vital to persons serving in the armed forces because it provides them with a convenient, sanitary way to eat during times of war or distress. The base and lid of the kit are called the “meat can.” The lid is divided into two sections and is used as a plate, while the base and attached latch create a pan. The latch also functions to hold the parts of the kit together when it is not in use. There are three utensils included in the kit, a fork, knife, and spoon. These were wrapped with socks or cloth to keep them from creating noise that endangered soldiers at war. When the kit needed to be cleaned, the utensils were hung onto the latch by their handles and the “plate” was hung onto the latch using the ring on its side. The whole kit was then dipped into boiling water. This kit was used by Berniece M. Osborn, R. N, who served as 1st Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Nurse Corps from 1943 – 1946, and spent 22 months overseas.