Part 3/8:
The advantage of feeding thousands at sea meant opting for versatile substitutes like powdered eggs and canned foods rather than fresh ingredients. As described by a veteran, "You never saw an egg that you could look at and say, 'oh boy, there's a yolk.'" This highlights the challenges faced by naval cooks and the creativity required in preparing meals under difficult conditions.
Even in 1944, a unique Thanksgiving celebration unfolded when the USS Iowa crossed the International Date Line and experienced two consecutive Thanksgiving dinners. Such moments illuminated the contrast between hardship and the joy found in commemorating a beloved holiday amidst the turmoil of war.