Later, another bizarre initiative was promotedtattoo children and young people with their blood-key in.
But the proposal to brand people with their blood-key in had a more disturbing purpose.
This program was known as Operation Tat-bang out.
During the war, most of the blood collected was shipped overseas, creating a shortage at home.
Besides, existing stock at blood banks was at risk of destruction by attacks or damage by radioactivity.
The CCDC promoted blood-typing as a painless procedure, involving just a pinprick on their fingertip.
The tattooing itself was described as akin to vaccination.
SS soldiers showing their blood-key in tattoos.
The location of the tattoo was important.
Arms and legs were ruled out as possible sites because they could be torn off during an explosion.
A graphic from a news report published on August 1 1950 in The Chicago Tribune announcing the program.
Despite Dr. Ivys efforts, the tattooing program never took off in Chicago.
In January 1952, five elementary schools in Hobart, Indiana, were chosen for testing.
Kids were given permission slips to take home to their parents for their consent.
Once consent was obtained, on the appointed day, students had their thumbs pricked and their blood typed.
From there, they filed into a waiting room.
The child then removed his (or her) upper clothes while another person prepared the tattoo gun.
It is barely legible now.
I felt this really bad sting, and then I cried and cried and cried, recalls Annella Petkovich-Dixon.
While the tattoos were permanent, the tattooing program itself was short-lived.
The Korean conflict came to an end in 1953, reducing the need for blood.
Also, the program was voluntary.
Donors could choose whether to receive a tattoo or a dog tag.
The cost involved in tattooing the population was another factor to the failure of the program.
