By Lucas Bernard
The United States military is often characterized as a large unwieldy machine, running on obtuse and seemingly illogical principles. Or, as so eloquently put to me as a young soldier, “There’s the right way, the wrong way, and the Army way.” Military leadership often comes under fire for various areas of mismanagement: barracks mold, sexual assault, burn pits, the list goes on. However, there is one thing that the lowly service member can count on. Wherever they are in the world, from shivering in a foxhole in some godforsaken wasteland to being clean and comfortable in garrison stateside, their Uncle Sam has made and kept a pivotal promise. They are going to eat turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and all the other fixings on Thanksgiving, come hell or high water.
Thanksgiving represents many of the same values the United States military itself attempts to inculcate. The modern tradition of a federally declared secular holiday can be traced back to Lincoln, who hoped that it would foster a sense of unity and appreciation in the fractured nation. After the war, it quickly caught on from sea to shining sea. Being unattached to any particular religion, it was a holiday that was easily accessible to Americans of any background. After all, what is better than gathering family and friends to celebrate the bounty that this land of opportunity provides and giving thanks for the privilege of being a part of it. Across the United States, Americans of all races, creeds, and colors gather around to eat their way into a turkey induced coma.
The US military was no different from their civilian counterparts in their zeal for this civic holiday. As the American military posture spread across the global stage in the 20th century, so did turkey. The enduring popularity of the holiday, combined with the industrial might of the United States, made the celebration of Thanksgiving evidence of the supreme logistical capabilities of the American war machine in World War 2. Despite increasing rationing on the home front, nothing was spared for the GI, whether he be in the European or Pacific Theater. Whole transport ships were loaded down with awe-inspiring amounts of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and pies. While his counterparts in the British and Soviet armies regularly made do with scarce rations, on the fourth Thursday of November, the GI was treated to a princely repast, whether served on a plate or plopped on a mess kit.
The Korean War proved no different, despite the trying circumstances the war engendered. Millions of pounds of turkey were transported by the trainload towards the frontlines, considered as vital as the ammo and other military material it traveled alongside. Unloaded onto trucks, this patriotic poultry found its way to field kitchens and was turned into hot Thanksgiving meals. This was then loaded in the large packs of the Korean Service Corps, locals who assisted US forces in logistical operations. Of course, by the time these intrepid indigenous personnel made the harrowing journey to the front, the food was as frozen as the Yalu River the GI’s were stationed alongside. This was of little consequence to the hungry Americans, who proceeded to heat up the chow on field stoves. It was a hell of a lot better than C-Rations anyway. Assuredly, their Chi-Com adversaries looked on in envy while breaking their teeth on their frozen and spoiled raw potatoes.
The ability of the American armed forces to project both power and Thanksgiving dinner was perfected over the course of the last century, and still remains as a vital example of our military readiness. Being able to recreate a beloved national feast in any environment across the globe doesn’t only serve to increase morale, it showcases the secret of American military supremacy—logistics. Whether serving on land, air, or sea, the American fighting man eats a familiar meal with an adoptive family, continuing a tradition that unites his country and makes it grateful for the blessings of Divine Providence.
In his Thanksgiving Day Address in 1943, President Roosevelt was thankful for how the tide of war had turned in America’s favor.
“God’s help to us has been great in this year of march towards world-wide liberty. In brotherhood with warriors of other United Nations our gallant men have won victories, have freed our homes from fear, have made tyranny tremble, and have laid the foundation for freedom of life in a world which will be free.”
There’s no doubt that those victories were fueled by a belly full of turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
