WW II Acronyms and Names-- Part 2: The Jody Cadence, Dear John, Dog Tags and K-Rats

COUNTING CADENCE/JODY CADENCE

Soldiers march to a cadence.  For example, "Hup, two three four" and  "You left, your left."    Jody cadence was created by black soldiers, "You had a good home when you left, count off."  A Jody cadence can get quite raunchy and marched to a cadence where Jody gets your wife or girlfriend while you're gone.

DEAR JOHN

Dear John was the generic name given for a break-up letter received by a GI.

DOG TAGS

GIs were issued two dig tags to wear around their neck for identification.  Stamped on the dog tag was your name, identification number, blood type and religion:  C for Catholic, P- Protestant and H-  Hebrew (Jewish).  The religious classifications were a holdover from WW I.

K-RATIONS

K-Rats were individually packed combat ration about the size of a box of Cracker Jacks, with a waxed  container.    To open the enclosed can, a P-38 can opener was enclosed, with a few cigarettes, crackers and a small chocolate bar.

So, That's What They Meant.  --GreGen