Blood Chit

The American blood chit is a bandana-size-nylon cloth carried by all American combat airmen. It bears an inscription in several languages of the combat area that identifies him or her as a member of the U.S. military, and promises a reward for his or her return to friendly territory. The chit is readily identifiable by a replica of the American flag printed there on. It also has a serial number and the bearer's signature. A blood chit is not only a promissory note to those who assist Americans to escape from enemy territory, it is a bond between the government and members of the armed forces who willingly accept the special fidelity of being combatants deep in enemy territory. The record of evasion in World War II and Korea is rich with expressions of integrity and fidelity on the part of our government in fulfilling it's promise of a meaningful reward. All that an enemy helper needs in order to collect a reward is the American's name and the blood chit's serial number. This book tells the stories of the men who sacrificed themselves to find the American POWs in Korea.