Photo B0086-1-2: The 5-in-1 Ration was developed in 1942 by the U.S. Army's Quartermaster Corps to fulfill a need for a pre-packaged field ration for use by small-motorized combat groups. The 5-in-1 allowed small groups of soldiers or large groups divided into multiple units to cook meals without the need of complex kitchen utensils or cooking skill. Another objective was to furnish sufficient food to take care of five men for one day. The 5-in-1's components were packed as a group, with non-canned components placed in a separate carton over packed in a larger carton with the canned products. Menus were enclosed in the carton as a guide in the selection of meals. Courtesy of the Archives of U.S. Army’s Quartermaster Corps.