WWII USAAF CBI Theater Blood Chit 48-Star Flag Multi-Language No 81123 For Sale

【 Item Description 】

Offered here is a remarkable WWII-era U.S. Army Air Forces / China-Burma-India Theater blood chit, featuring a large 48-star American flag and multilingual rescue instructions intended to identify a downed American aviator and request assistance from local civilians or Allied personnel.

This type of survival identification panel was associated with American air operations in Asia during World War II and was designed to be sewn into flight clothing, carried in a pocket, or kept with an aviator’s survival equipment.

The lower portion contains rescue instructions in multiple languages, including:

• French
• Annamese / Vietnamese
• Thai
• Lao
• Chinese
• Korean
• Japanese

The Chinese section includes the wording identifying the bearer with the American air forces assisting China, consistent with the CBI / China Theater context.

A distinctive red serial number is printed near the bottom:

No. 81123

The textile appears to be a lightweight silk-like rayon or similar woven fabric commonly used for period blood chits and survival identification panels.

Approximate size: about 9.5\" x 7.5\"

Please refer to the ruler photographs for exact scale.

Pre-owned vintage condition with significant age, staining, and wear. Sold AS IS as a historical collectible.

Notable condition details include:

• Numerous fold lines and creases from long-term storage and handling.
• General yellowing and age toning throughout.
• Scattered brown spotting / foxing.
• Several yellowish water or moisture stains across the lower and side areas.
• An old strip of clear tape is present along the right edge and appears to have been applied many years ago.
• Additional older tape or adhesive remnants are visible in several areas.
• The fabric shows waviness and distortion from age and previous storage.
• Printed colors remain strong overall, especially the red, white, and blue flag.
• The red serial number No. 81123 remains clearly legible.

The old tape has been left exactly as found. No attempt has been made to remove it, clean the fabric, or restore the piece, as doing so could risk damaging the delicate material.

Please review all photographs closely for the exact condition.

This is a fascinating piece of WWII aviation history because it was designed for an extremely practical purpose: helping a downed American airman communicate with people across a multilingual theater of operations.

The combination of the 48-star U.S. flag, seven-language rescue message, Chinese identification text, and individually printed serial number gives this piece considerable historical and display interest.

The staining, folds, and old tape are very visible, but they also show the age and handling history of the textile. I have intentionally left it in its as-found state rather than attempting any cleaning or conservation.

Because no independent third-party authentication or fiber testing has been performed, the item is being offered based on its construction, markings, and visible period characteristics as shown in the photographs.

This fragile vintage textile will be shipped flat whenever practical, supported between rigid archival-style boards or similar protective backing.

It will not be folded into additional creases for shipment.

The piece will be placed in protective wrapping and securely boxed to help prevent bending, moisture exposure, or further damage during transit.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions before purchase.

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