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December 27, 1944: At dawn, P-47s of the 406th Fighter Group blast over Bastogne. Their engines roar a salute to the 101st Airborne paratroopers below. Eleven days prior, the flyboys and Screaming Eagles formed a friendship at their base in Mourmelon, France.
Then, the Battle of the Bulge erupted and the 101st raced to defend Bastogne. When the 406th pilots were given their mission—to defend Bastogne from the air—they knew who they were flying for. Now, as the 3rd Army streams in having broken the German siege, the exhausted paratroopers know victory is at hand.
Want to know "who" signed which print edition? Click the EDITIONS tab above.
Shipping added in checkout // print size: 32" x 22.5" // ships rolled in a tube
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PUBLISHER PROOF - Resale, in mint condition!
Sold out years ago, this extremely rare Publisher Proof print is from an edition of 125 limited-edition prints, signed by artist Nicolas Trudgian and includes the autographs of 19 Battle of the Bulge veterans: 101st Bastogne defenders Earl McClung (Easy Co.), Brad Freeman (Easy Co.), Bob Noody (Fox Co.), and Chris McEwan (Silver Star). P-47 pilots Ken Glemby (406th FG, shown in “Paula”), Bernie Sledzik (406th FG, unit depicted), Wally King (406th FG, on signature card), and J.S. Peterson (78th FG). Armored heroes Wayne Tennant (defended Bastogne with M18 Hellcats), Clarence Smoyer (M4 gunner, star of Spearhead), Bill Gast (M4 driver w/Silver Star), Les Underwood (“Spearhead” M4 gunner), and Wayne Field (6th AD scout). Riflemen Jack Blickenderfer (4th ID), Charlie Bailey (28th ID), Nick Gianopoulos (99th ID), Bob Keck (83rd ID), and George Schneider (30th ID), and 17th Airborne paratrooper Lou Zoughby. Includes a metal relic from a C-47 that flew the Bastogne resupply, 101st & 3rd Army patches, two photos relating to Bastogne, and a Certificate of Authenticity with "History Behind the Art."
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"Defenders of Bastogne" is hand-signed by a collection of WWII heroes! Signers vary print by print. Please click "editions" to see which veterans signed which prints.
Charles Bailey
Rifleman, 28th Infantry Division
Jack Blickenderfer
Rifleman, 4th Infantry Division
Wayne Coleman
78th Fighter Group P-47 pilot, 4 victories including a Me 262 jet!
Buck Compton
Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Brad Freeman
Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Bill Gast
743rd Tank Battalion, Silver Star
Nicholas Gianopoulos
Rifleman, 99th Infantry Division
Ken Glemby
406th Fighter Group P-47 pilot of "Paula"
"Wild Bill" Guarnere
Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Babe Heffron
Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Robert Kauffman
36th AIR "Blitz Dough," 3rd Armored Division
Bob Keck
Rifleman, 83rd Infantry Division
Clancy Lyall
Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Al Mampre
Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Earl McClung
Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Chris McEwan
501st PIR, 101st Airborne, Silver Star recipient. His citation is as follows:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class C. C. McEwan, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with the 101st Airborne Division. On 21 December 1944 his company launched an attack designed to neutralize enemy mortar and artillery positions which dominated high ground on the company's front. Private First Class McEwan, acting on his own initiative, displaced his machine gun forward into enemy territory in order to place effective fire on the only avenue of retreat for the enemy. By delivering a heavy volume of well-aimed fire, he prevented the enemy's attempt to withdraw and unite with other enemy forces. The enemy repeatedly attempted to destroy the gun positions by using small arms and mortar fire and throwing hand grenades. Private First Class McEwan, however, remained in the exposed position and delivered extremely effective fire against the enemy until the area was cleared. His courageous performance of duty accounted for many enemy dead and prevented the enemy force from uniting with its main body of troops. His actions were in accordance with the military traditions of the United States.
Ray Nagell
321st Glider Field Artillery, 101st Airborne
Bob Noody
Fox Company, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne
Ted Paluch
Malmedy Massacre Survivor
Pete Peterson
78th Fighter Group P-47 & P-51 pilot
Herb Prevost
365th Fighter Group "Hell Hawks" P-47 pilot
George Schneider
Scout/Rifleman, 30th Infantry Division
Bernie Sledzik
406th Fighter Group P-47 pilot
Clarence Smoyer
3rd Armored Division "Spearhead" Sherman & Pershing gunner
Wayne Tennant
705th Tank Battalion, C-Co. Commander, M18 Hellcats
Les Underwood
3rd Armored Division "Spearhead" Sherman gunner & Pershing commander
Lou Zoughby
17 Airborne paratrooper
