{"product_id":"wwii-u-s-east-asia-blood-chit","title":"WWII U.S. East Asia Blood Chit with the 48-Star Flag","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUpdated on April 24, 2026:\u003c\/strong\u003e This has been sold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIssued for use by American airmen operating over East Asia during the Second World War, this blood chit was designed as a life-saving tool in the event of being shot down behind enemy lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the top is a 48-star American flag. Below, the printed message identifies the bearer as an American pilot and asks for assistance. The text reads, in part:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e“I am an American pilot. My plane is destroyed. I cannot speak your language. I am an enemy of the Japanese. Please protect me, care for me, and take me to the nearest Allied military office. The government of my country will reward you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis appeal is printed in multiple languages used across the region, including French, Annamese (Vietnamese), Thai, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Laotian—reflecting the wide geographic range in which these were deployed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chit was individually numbered. Ours is number 85124.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsed primarily by U.S. Army Air Forces personnel flying over China-Burma-India and other parts of East Asia, blood chits were often carried sewn into flight jackets or tucked into gear, intended to communicate with civilians who might assist downed airmen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is an identical blood chit in the collection of the \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.intrepidmuseum.org\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eIntrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum\u003c\/a\u003e that is listed as a gift of Sam Folsom, Lt. Col. USMC. It is number 67980. This \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/slate.com\/human-interest\/2013\/04\/blood-chits-used-by-downed-pilots-in-wwii.html\"\u003earticle\u003c\/a\u003e includes a photo of that chit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 11.5\" H x 9.5\" W\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping:\u003c\/strong\u003e $10. Please allow two weeks fro shipping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The History List","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51976821801262,"sku":"RARE-FINDS-WWII-BLOOD-CHIT","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1185\/2944\/files\/rare-finds-blood-chit-sold.jpg?v=1777005279","url":"https:\/\/store.thehistorylist.com\/products\/wwii-u-s-east-asia-blood-chit","provider":"The History List","version":"1.0","type":"link"}