The P-38 is known as a John Wayne by the United States Marine Corps, either because of its toughness and dependability,or because of an unsubstantiated story that the actor had been shown in an as-yet-unidentified training film opening a can of K-Rations. The can opener is pocket-sized, approximately 1.5 inches (38 mm) long, and consists of a short metal blade that serves as a handle, with a small, hinged metal tooth that folds out to pierce the can lid. A notch just under the hinge point keeps the opener hooked around the rim of the can as the device is "walked" around to cut the lid out. A larger version called theP-51 is somewhat easier to operate. (SEE ITEM P-51) The handle portion can also double as a flat-blade screwdriver.
The P-38 is approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) long
43 Uses for the P-38:

1. can opener
2. all-purpose toothpick
3. fingernail cleaner
4. splinter remover
5. flat-head screwdriver – use one of the ends
6. phillips-head screwdriver – use one of the corners
7. bottle opener
8. box cutter
9. letter opener
10. chisel
11. stirrer
12. neck slasher (women used to carry to use in case of attack)
13. seam ripper
14. cut fishing line
15. open paint cans
16. window scraper
17. scrape around floor corners
18. digging
19. clean out groove on Tupperware lids
20. reach in and clean out small cracks
21. scrape around edge of boots
22. {in the field} gut fish
23. {in the field} scale fish
24. test for “doneness” when baking on a camp fire
25. prying items
26. strip wire
27. scrape pans in the field
28. lift key on flip top cans
29. barter
30. marking tool
31. deflating tires
32. measurement
33. striking flint
34. puncturing plastic coating
35. knocking on doors
36. Morse Code
37. write emergency messages
38. scratch an itch
39. save as a souvenir
40. rip off rank for on the spot promotion
41. carburetor repair tool
42. bee sting removal tool (scrape off w/ blade)
43. knife sharpener