MY OLD P-38-BRILLIANT PIECE OF ENGINEERING

[Joe Gopan]

How many have a P-38? I still do. It's the same one made by US Shelby Corp. that I have had since Basic Training at Ft Dix back in 1960. Many GI's still have that first P-38 that they used back when they were in basic. Mine rests in a drawer in the kitchen on a ring with a long forgotten General Motors key from one of the surplus USAF 66 Chevy Pick Ups I probably bought at Loring AFB and an H-700 Key. It has been at least 50 years since I have used it.
Our can opener broke during supper last nite and I remembered my old P-38 resting patiently in the kitchen drawer to be recalled to active duty. My wife was surprised how fast it cut the can open. One never loses "the touch" of using their old P-38, it stays with you forever, just like riding a bicycle. I still have my Dog Tags, too, they are hanging on the inside rear view mirror of my CCKW.

[all4jpn]

I have my fathers which he carried during his tour in Vietnam. He kept it on his key ring always. It was always with him until he died. It is one of my prized possessions..

[Lew Ladwig]

I have one from WWII that my dad gave me. Made by American Speaker. Had it on my key ring until the ring hole wore through! Opened a thousand cans with that baby.

[pecopfc]

Still have mine on my key ring, has been for over 40 years. Stamped "US Speaker".

[markrdje]

Did any of you all ever call it my john wayne?

[Joe Gopan]

Who was John Wayne, he did not serve in the military? Do see John Wayne's name on the eBay ads for the P-38.
Amazing little tool, tho, you can really go to beat hell with them.

[markrdje]

When I was in the Marines the p38 was called a john wayne, why I don't know,

[Joe Gopan]

Kinda late to ask old John. Maybe a web search of John Wayne can opener will have the answer.

[Lee Bishop]

By the time I served, nobody had anything in cans anymore, so a P38 would have been a wasted effort to take into the field.
Some of my older NCOs told me that it was a very bad idea to carry one on dogtags, as that hook could flip outward and stab the person wearing it. A Brigade CSM told me that when he was a young PVT, there were orders never to carry them that close to your body.
All that said, I have a few original ones from WW2 and have used them to open cans every now and then. It is indeed a very handy tool if you have the knack for using one...

[cco23i]

I was in and we had MRE's BUT I ALWYS carried a P-38 due to working the flightline we could use them to open oil cans and such with to service aircraft.

[Joe Gopan]

Everyy Jeep glove box should have a P-38.

[Rustman]

I ALWAYS keep one on my key chain. Even when I travel overseas and all my house/car keys are at home. My key chain has my luggage key, a radiator key (square socket and flat tip) and the P-38. I've used it many times to cut rope or string when I didn't have scissors or a knife around.

Matt

[Chuck Lutz]

My Dog tags have a P-38 and wire-handled Coke bottle opener on the chain.
My key ring has an H700 and a personalized Dog Tag and a Ford Tool Room Tag.