What is this called

[Skyranger777]

Ok, first off I am not military. So my ignorance is only just. My question is: I recieved this silk feeling cloth several years ago from a F-16 fighter pilot. He gave it to me as a gift because I helped him out. It has 5 different languages on it (including english). It has an American flag at the top with his fighter wing symbol. The enlgish version starts out saying; "I am an Amercian and do not speak your language. I will not harm you! I bear no malice towards your people." And then in continues on to another paragraph. What is this called?

 

[stonewall]

Blood chit.

 

[Fox-Tree]

It's a replica of an item given to pilots during combat operations (and maybe others who are going into a situation where they might be evading enemy forces). Magnum's right, it's called a blood chit.

They are controlled items with a serial number in each corner. If you were shot down and encountered a local, you could let them read the chit in their language - it promises them a reward for helping you. When appropriate, you tear off a serial number and they can use it to claim their reward. I think we also carried some gold for bribing.

 

[Skyranger777]

Thanks for the information. I couldn't find it anywhere. The LTC who gave it to me, signed it and wrote on it that it was flown over Iraq on Feb 5 2002.

 

[TankerDriver]

Hopefully it's a "replica".

 

[Skyranger777]

Ok, I feel stupid and now i am cunfused (maybe because its late at night). But here goes a stupid civi question. Why do I hope it a replica?

 

[81Horse]

Brief history of the blood chit:

http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/blood_chit.htm

 

[Fox-Tree]

Ok, I feel stupid and now i am cunfused (maybe because its late at night). But here goes a stupid civi question. Why do I hope it a replica?

Because they are issued with control numbers to a pilot who has to account for it and return it after his mission. If you had a real one it would be a problem for the guy who gave it to you - no for you so much. Yours is not real. Actually, I don't think the real ones were silk. Weren't they on some kind of special paper (like money type paper?) - someone help me out it's been a few years.

 

[Skyranger777]

Thanks for the link. I read it and now it makes more sense.

 

[pkober]

The real ones are that water proof paper stuff. The silk ones look nice sown into the liner of a leather jacket.