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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY - NAVAL HISTORY & HERITAGE COMMAND

Holiday Menus from Ship to Shore

Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners on Navy ships and shore installations provide an excellent snapshot of military food service and life in the Navy. Although today's Navy cooks and bakers are preparing more health-conscious meals for sailors and their families, these menus from 1905 to 1950 provide a nostalgic glimpse for all those who remember a meal with fellow sailors.

These menus are part of the Library's collection of holiday menus.

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner, U.S.S. Raleigh, Hong Kong, 30th November, 1905; photo caption: Main Deck U.S.S. "Raleigh."

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner, U.S.S. Raleigh, Hong Kong, 30th November, 1905; photo caption: Main Deck U.S.S. "Raleigh." 

  

Menu: Soup - Creamed Asparagus Bouillon; Hors D'oueuvres; Roast Turkey, Oyster Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Celery; Vegetables - Creamed Potatoes, Young Onions a la Holandaise, Steamed Cabbage and White Sauce; Dessert - Lemon, Pumpkin and Mince Pies, Fruit Cake; Candy, Assorted Nuts; Cigars, Cigarettes; Iced Tea - Thanksgiving Dinner, U.S.S. Raleigh, Hong Kong, 30th November, 1905.

Menu - Thanksgiving Dinner, U.S.S. Raleigh, Hong Kong, 30th November, 1905. 

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S.S. Kentucky, 1907.

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S.S. Kentucky, 1907.

  

 Menu: Oyster Soup, Crackers, Roast Turkey, Giblet Gravy, Oyster Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Celery, Sliced Smithfield Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Corn, Green Peas, Mince Pies, Ice Cream, Fruit Cake, Apples, Bananas, Grapes, Coffee, Mixed Nuts, Raisins, Cigars, Cigarettes, Cider - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S.S. Kentucky, 1907.

Menu - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S.S. Kentucky, 1907.

 Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S.S. Case, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., 1929.

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S.S. Case, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., 1929.

  

 Menu: Roast Vermont Turkey, Sweet Pickles, Fancy Celery, Cream of Celery Soup, Giblet Gravy, Oyster Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Creamed Peas, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes, MInce Pie, Brick Ice Cream, Cake, Mixed Nuts, Oranges, Apples, Grapes, Cigars, Cigarettes, Demi Tasse - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S.S. Case, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., 1929.

Menu - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S.S. Case, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa., 1929.

Cover - Thanksgiving Menu, U.S.S. Oklahoma, Bremerton, Washington, 1935.

Cover - Thanksgiving Menu, U.S.S. Oklahoma, Bremerton, Washington, 1935. 

  

Menu: Oyster Coctail, Celery Hearts, Queen Olives, Sweet Pickles, Turkey Broth with Rice, Saltine Crackers, Roast Turkey, Giblet Sauce, Oyster Dressing, Cranberry Jelly, Roast Ham, Candied Yams, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Asparagus Tips, Pumpkin Pie, Mince Pie, Fruit Cake, Neopolitan Ice Cream, Finger Rolls, Butter, Coffee, Cigars, Cigarettes, Fruits, Nuts - Thanksgiving Menu, U.S.S. Oklahoma, Bremerton, Washington, 1935.

Menu - Thanksgiving Menu, U.S.S. Oklahoma, Bremerton, Washington, 1935.  

 Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner, Thursday, November 25, 1943, U.S.S. Wake Island.

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner, Thursday, November 25, 1943, U.S.S. Wake Island.

  

Menu: Tomato Juice Cocktail, Puree of Turkey Soup, Stuffed Celery, Ripe Olives, Mixed Vegetable Salad with Thousand Island Dressing, Roast Tom Turkey, Virginia Baked Ham, Giblet Gravy, Creamed Mashed Irish Potatoes, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Creamed Carrots and Peas, Golden Bantum Corn, Hot Parker-House Rolls, Pumpkin Pie, Cranberry Sauce, Bread, Butter, Coffee, Mixed Hard Candy, Mixed Nuts, Cigars, Ciagrettes - Thanksgiving Dinner, Thursday, November 25, 1943, U.S.S. Wake Island.

 Menu - Thanksgiving Dinner, Thursday, November 25, 1943, U.S.S. Wake Island.

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S. Naval Repair Base, San Diego, California, 1944.

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S. Naval Repair Base, San Diego, California, 1944. 

   Chief Petty Officers' Mess Menu: Shrimp Cocktail, Waldorf Salad, Turkey Noodle Soup, Olives, Pickles, Roast Young Tom Turkey, Giblet Gravy, Oyster Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Baked Virginia Ham, Creamed Potatoes, Candied Yams, Asparagus Tips, Fresh Peas, Pumpkin Pie, Ice Cream, Orangeade, Coffee, Tea, Milk - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S. Naval Repair Base, San Diego, California, 1944. Chief Petty Officers' Mess Menu - Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, U.S. Naval Repair Base, San Diego, California, 1944. 

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner, Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia, 1945.

Cover - Thanksgiving Dinner, Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia, 1945. 

  

Menu: Fruit Cup, Mixed Sweet Pickles, Stuffed Celery, Roast Young Tom Turkey, Giblet Gravy, Sausage Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Whipped Irish Potatoes, Garden Green Peas, Sliced Tomatoes, Bread, Hot Rolls, Butter, Fruit Cake, Ice Cream, Beverage - Thanksgiving Dinner, Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia, 1945.

Menu - Thanksgiving Dinner, Naval Training Station, Norfolk, Virginia, 1945. 

Cover - Thanksgiving Menu, U.S.S. Sperry, 1950.

Cover - Thanksgiving Menu, U.S.S. Sperry, 1950. 

  

Chief Petty Officers' Menu: Fresh Shrimp Cocktail, Waldorf Salad, Mayonnaise, Turkey Soup, Crackers, Roast Young Tom Turkey, Oyster Dressing, Candied Yams, Mashed Irish Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Giblet Gravy, Buttered Peas, Creamed Cauliflower, Parker House Rolls, Butter, Ice Cream, Fruit Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Coffee, Fresh Milk, Candy, Mixed Nuts, Cigars, Cigarettes - Thanksgiving Menu, U.S.S. Sperry, 1950.

 Chief Petty Officers' Menu - Thanksgiving Menu, U.S.S. Sperry, 1950.

Cover - Christmas Day, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Destroyer Division Twenty-Five, U.S.S. Case (285), Villefranche, France, December 25 1926.

Cover - Christmas Day, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Destroyer Division Twenty-Five, U.S.S. Case (285), Villefranche, France, December 25 1926. 

  

Menu: Olives, Sweet Pickles, Roast Turkey, Baked Spiced Ham, Sage Dressing, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Creamed Cauliflower, Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Green Peas, Mixed Nuts, Apple Pie, Layer Cake, Ice Cream, Cigars, Cigarettes, Candy, Bread, Butter, Coffee - Christmas Day, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Destroyer Division Twenty-Five, U.S.S. Case (285), Villefranche, France, December 25 1926.

 Menu - Christmas Day, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Destroyer Division Twenty-Five, U.S.S. Case (285), Villefranche, France, December 25 1926.

Cover - Christmas Menu, U.S.S. Case, 285, Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, December 25, 1927.

Cover - Christmas Menu, U.S.S. Case, 285, Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, December 25, 1927. 

  

Menu: Turkey Soup, Roast Turkey, Oyster Dressing, Giblet Gravy, Creamed Mashed Potatoes, Candied Yams, Creamed Cauliflower, Combination Vegetable Salad, Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Ice Cream, Fruit Cake, Bread, Butter, Coffee, Mixed Nuts - Christmas Menu, U.S.S. Case, 285, Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, December 25, 1927.

 Menu - Christmas Menu, U.S.S. Case, 285, Navy Yard, Norfolk, Virginia, December 25, 1927. 

Cover - Merry Christmas, Menu, U.S.S. Oklahoma, 1936.

 Cover - Merry Christmas, Menu, U.S.S. Oklahoma, 1936.

  

Menu: Fruit Cocktail, Consomme, Sweet Pickles, Hearts of Celery, Ripe Olives, Roast Young Tom Turkey, Baked Spiced Ham, Oyster Dressing, Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Candied Sweets, Buttered Cauliflower, French Peas, Parkerhouse Rolls, Waldorf Salad, Mince Pie, Neopolitan Ice Cream, Fruit Cake, Mixed Nuts, Mixed Candies, Cigars, Cigarettes, Coffee - Merry Christmas, Menu, U.S.S. Oklahoma, 1936.

Menu - Merry Christmas, Menu, U.S.S. Oklahoma, 1936. 

Cover - Christmas Greetings, U.S.S. Astoria, Long Beach, California, 1937.

Cover - Christmas Greetings, U.S.S. Astoria, Long Beach, California, 1937. 

  

Menu: Tomato Juice Cocktail, Olives, Celery, Sweet Pickles, Clear Consomme, Soda Crackers, Roast Turkey, Oyster Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Giblet Gravy, Baked Spiced Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Asparagus Salad, Cottage Cheese and Peaches, Assorted Hot Rolls, Bread and Butter, Mince Pie, Fruit Cake, Neopolitan Ice Cream, Mixed Nuts, Christmas Candies, Cigars, Cigarettes, Coffee - Christmas Greetings, U.S.S. Astoria, Long Beach, California, 1937.

Menu - Christmas Greetings, U.S.S. Astoria, Long Beach, California, 1937. 

Cover - Children's Christmas Party On Board the United States Ship Oklahoma At Anchor in San Pedro Harbor, California, December 25, 1937.

 Cover - Children's Christmas Party On Board the United States Ship Oklahoma At Anchor in San Pedro Harbor, California, December 25, 1937.

  

Order of Events: 0945-1030 Crew's Reception Room, Brief Christmas Service, Celebration of Christ Mass, Baptisms; 1030-1100 Guests Welcomed and Seated on the Quarterdeck, Music by U.S.S. Oklahoma Band, (a) Christmas Selections, (b) Christmas Medley, *Christmas Story read by all, **Singing of Carols; 1100-1200 Marionette Show, The Famous Olvera Puppeteers; 1200-1300 In The Casemates: Christmas Dinner for All; 1300-1400 On the Quarterdeck: Arrival of Santa Claus, Distribution of Toys and Packages; 1400-1430 Motor Launches for San Pedro and Long Beach - Children's Christmas Party On Board the United States Ship Oklahoma At Anchor in San Pedro Harbor, California, December 25, 1937.

  Order of Events - Children's Christmas Party On Board the United States Ship Oklahoma At Anchor in San Pedro Harbor, California, December 25, 1937.

Cover - Christmas , U.S.S. Cushing (376), Pearl Harbor, T.H. [Territory of Hawaii], 1939.

Cover - Christmas , U.S.S. Cushing (376), Pearl Harbor, T.H. [Territory of Hawaii], 1939. 

  

Menu: Chicken Rice Soup, Stuffed Celery, Olives, Mixed Sweet Pickles, Roast Young Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, Giblet Gravy, Oyster Dressing, Mashed Potatoes, French Peas, Combination Salad, Apple Pie, Ice Cream, Lemonade, Mixed Candy, Fruit Cake, Cigars, Cigarettes - Christmas , U.S.S. Cushing (376), Pearl Harbor, T.H. [Territory of Hawaii], 1939.

Menu - Christmas , U.S.S. Cushing (376), Pearl Harbor, T.H. [Territory of Hawaii], 1939. 

Cover - Christmas Dinner, U.S. Navy Receiving Station, Boston Massachusetts, 1942; photo caption: Fargo Barracks.

Cover - Christmas Dinner, U.S. Navy Receiving Station, Boston Massachusetts, 1942; photo caption: Fargo Barracks. 

  

 Menu: Pineapple Juice, Hearts of Celery, Sweet Pickles, Stuffed Green Olives, Ripe Olives, Cream of Tomato Soup, Saltine Crackers, Roast Fresh Native Turkey, Giblet Gravy, Oyster Dressing, Cranberry Sauce, Baked Sugar Cured Virginia Ham, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Mashed White Potatoes, Fresh Hubbard Squash, Buttered Green Peas, Hearts of Lettuce Salad, Mayonnaise Dressing, Fruit Cake, New England Mince Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream, Ribbon Candy, Mixed Nuts, Valencia Oranges, MacIntosh Apples, Cluster Grapes, Butter Rolls, Creamery Butter, Cigars, Coffee, W.E. Giroud, Chief Commissary Steward, U.S. Navy - Christmas Dinner, U.S. Navy Receiving Station, Boston Massachusetts, 1942; photo caption: Fargo Barracks.

Menu - Christmas Dinner, U.S. Navy Receiving Station, Boston Massachusetts, 1942; photo caption: Fargo Barracks. 

Cover - Christmas Dinner, U.S.S. Kalinin Bay, Saturday, December 25, 1943.

Cover - Christmas Dinner, U.S.S. Kalinin Bay, Saturday, December 25, 1943. 

  

Menu: Fruit Cocktail, Cream of Tomato Soup, Saltines, Sweet Pickles, Ripe Olives, Roast Tom Turkey, Sage Dressing, Giblet Gravy, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Creamed Peas & Carrots, Buttered Asparagus Tips, Lettuce and Tomato Salad, Thousand Island Dressing, Fruit Cake, Parker-House Rolls, Mince Pie, Coffee, Cigars, Candy, Cigarettes - Christmas Dinner, U.S.S. Kalinin Bay, Saturday, December 25, 1943.

Menu - Christmas Dinner, U.S.S. Kalinin Bay, Saturday, December 25, 1943.  

Related Source: “Navy Department Library Seeks Ship And Shore Holiday Menus.” Story Number: NNS031126-10, Release Date: 11/29/2003 11:14:00 AM, posted on The Navy Newsstand.

29 May 2007