Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
U.S. Army Mess Kit Used by Franklin Roosevelt
Artifact IDMO 1943.190.6
Object Type
Kit, Mess
Maker
Foley Manufacturing Company
(American, 1929 - 1982)
Maker
Silco
(American)
Maker
Landers, Frary & Clark
(American, 1865 - 1965)
Date1941-1942
Mediummetal (aluminum, tin, steel), plastic (resin)
Dimensionsoverall (pan with lid, closed) H 2 1/4 in x W 8 1/2 in x D 6 3/4 in (5.7 cm x 21.6 cm x 17.1 cm )
overall (pan with handle extended) H 1 1/2 in x W 16 3/8 in x D 6 3/4 in (3.8 cm x 41.6 cm x 17.1 cm )
overall (lid) H 7/8 in x W 7 7/8 in x D 6 3/8 in (2.2 cm x 20 cm x 16.2 cm )
overall (fork) L 7 1/2 in x W 1 1/16 in (2.7 cm x 19.1 cm )
overall (spoon) L 7 3/8 in x W 1 13/16 in (4.6 cm x 18.7 cm )
overall (knife) L 7 1/4 in x W 1 in (2.5 cm x 18.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionA five piece World War II-era U.S. Army mess kit. The mess kit consists of:overall (pan with handle extended) H 1 1/2 in x W 16 3/8 in x D 6 3/4 in (3.8 cm x 41.6 cm x 17.1 cm )
overall (lid) H 7/8 in x W 7 7/8 in x D 6 3/8 in (2.2 cm x 20 cm x 16.2 cm )
overall (fork) L 7 1/2 in x W 1 1/16 in (2.7 cm x 19.1 cm )
overall (spoon) L 7 3/8 in x W 1 13/16 in (4.6 cm x 18.7 cm )
overall (knife) L 7 1/4 in x W 1 in (2.5 cm x 18.4 cm )
1a-b) An oval-shaped aluminum meat can consisting of a pan with a separate lid. The pan has a folding handle which, when not in use, folds over the segmented lid and snaps into place on the rim keeping the pan and lid locked together. The manufacturing information is inscribed on the pan's handle: U. S. / FOLEY MFG. CO. / 1942.
2) A tin-plated steel fork with an oval cutout in the handle. "U.S." is engraved on the face of the handle. The manufacturer's name is on the reverse of the handle: SILCO.
3) A tin-plated steel spoon with an oval cutout in the handle. "U.S." is engraved on the face of the handle. The manufacturer is not indicated.
4) A tin-plated steel knife with a black resin handle. In the handle is an oval cutout. "U. S." is impressed into the face of the handle. The manufacturer's information is on the reverse of the handle: L.F.&C. / 1941.
Historical NoteIn January 1943, shortly after the Allied invasion of North Africa, a summit meeting between Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill was held at Casablanca, Morocco. During the trip, FDR used this U.S. Army mess kit, along with a canteen cup (see MO 1943.190.7), at a field luncheon while visiting Rabat, Morocco, to review American troops on January 21, 1943. He took the mess kit and cup back to the U.S. with him as a souvenir.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 9, 1943. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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