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November 14, 1944 . . . As smoldering enemy ships mark a trail to Manila Bay, Avengers and Hellcats of Air Group 51 overfly the isle of Corregidor on their return to the carrier U.S.S. San Jacinto. With the misty mountains of Bataan standing as a silent sentinel, Naval LT (JG) George H.W. Bush pilots his TBM in one of his last combat missions of WWII. The valor of Bush’s group in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and in the strikes on Manila Bay helped pave the way for MacArthur’s campaign to liberate the Philippines.
Want to know "who" signed which print edition? Click the EDITIONS tab above.
Shipping added in checkout // print size: 37" x 24" // ships rolled in a tube
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ARTIST PROOF - Resale, in mint condition!
Sold-out more than a decade ago, this ultra-rare Artist Proof is from an edition of 150 limited-edition prints autographed by artist John D. Shaw and six veterans of the Pacific War: President George H.W. Bush (depicted), his fellow VT-51 pilots Lou Grab and Stan Butchart, VT-51 gunner Bill Joyce, and VF-51 Hellcat pilots Nat Adams (depicted) & Bill Hartung! Includes photos relating to the scene, VT-51 and VF-51 felt patches, and Certificate of Authenticity. A no-interest payment plan is available, contact us to learn more.
MAIN EDITION - Low Supply!
300 limited-edition prints, signed by John Shaw and 7 veterans: VT-51 Avenger pilots Jack Guy & John Raquepau, who flew alongside Lt. Bush, ace Bob Maxwell who escorted the future President, and four heroes who fought on Bataan/Corregidor during the early days of WWII! Includes COA.
GICLEE EDITION
100 limited-edition canvases. Please contact us for availability and pricing.
MAIN EDITION II - Sold Out
150 limited-edition prints
GALLERY EDITION - Sold Out
150 limited-edition prints
PUBLISHER PROOF - Sold Out
100 limited-edition prints
OTHER EDITIONS
A Signer Proof edition exists, not-for-sale.
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"Avengers of the Philippines" is hand signed by a collection of heroes who fought in the Pacific during World War II. Click "editions" to see who signed which print edition.
George H.W. Bush
VT-51 Avenger pilot, shot down near Chi Chi Jima. President of the United States. Signer on the Publisher & Artist Proofs only.
Stan Butchart
Flew off the USS San Jacinto as a VT-51 Avenger pilot alongside squadronmate, and friend, Lt. George H.W. Bush.
Lou J. Grab
Flew off the USS San Jacinto as a VT-51 Avenger pilot alongside squadronmate, and friend, Lt. George H.W. Bush.
Nat Adams
Flew off the USS San Jacinto as a VF-51 Hellcat pilot escorting the Avenger of then Lt. George H.W. Bush. Shot down two Japanese aircraft.
Bill Hartung
Flew off the USS San Jacinto as a VF-51 Hellcat pilot escorting the Avenger of then Lt. George H.W. Bush. Shot down three Japanese aircraft.
Bob Maxwell
Flew off the USS San Jacinto as a VF-51 Hellcat pilot escorting the Avenger of then Lt. George H.W. Bush. Shot down seven Japanese aircraft.
Bill Joyce
Flew off the USS San Jacinto as a VT-51 Avenger gunner.
Jack Guy
Flew off the USS San Jacinto as a VT-51 Avenger pilot alongside squadronmate, and friend, Lt. George H.W. Bush.
John Raquepau
Flew off the USS San Jacinto as a VT-51 Avenger pilot alongside squadronmate, and friend, Lt. George H.W. Bush.
Wayne Miller
Army Air Corps Aircraft Warning Unit on Corregidor
Martin Christie
4th Marines, helped repulse Japanese landings on Corregidor
John Perkowski
59th Coast Artillery, Ft. Frank, Carabao Island, Philippines
Ray Harper
US Navy, in shore patrol on Corregidor
Houston Turner
31st Infantry, attached to the Filipino Scouts, Bataan Death March survivor
Nick Hionedes
Army Air Corps, Aircraft Warning Unit on Corregidor
Jack Warner
4th Marines, helped repulse Japanese landings on Corregidor
David Johnson
4th Marines, helped repulse Japanese landings on Corregidor
Robert Brown
Army Air Corps, youngest survivor of the Bataan Death March
Frank Maselskis
4th Marines, helped repulse Japanese landings on Corregidor
Abie Abraham
31st Infantry, Bataan death march survivor, rescued during the Great Raid, Author of "Ghost of Bataan Speaks" & "Oh God Where Are You?" - Publisher Proof only
Harold Amos
31st Infantry, Bataan death march survivor, rescued during the Great Raid - Publisher Proof only
Dale Menger
Costal Artillery, POW at Cabanatuan & Palawan, later sent to Japan for slave labor - Publisher Proof only
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Valor Studios undertook the "Avengers of the Philippines" project thanks to the encouragement of our friend Leo Nadeau. Leo had been President Bush's gunner in WWII, before and after Bush was shot down over the island of Chichi-Jima. Before that mission, the squadron intel officer, LTJG Ted White bumped Leo from the roster and rode along in Leo's place. Both White and gunner Arm2 John Delaney would lose their lives that day. The submarine Finback would rescue Bush and return him to the USS San Jacinto, where he was reunited with Leo and assigned a new gunner, Joe Reichert. Together, they returned to action and completed their tours, culminating in the Nov. 14, 1944 mission depicted in "Avengers of the Philippines."
Our friend Leo, who introduced Valor Studios and this project to Pres. Bush, died on Veterans Day of 2006 from cancer. Although he died before the painting was completed, the project brought him joy near the end. He critiqued concept sketches and shared fleeting memories in an effort to make "Avengers of the Philippines" an immortal tribute to the unit he loved and to Bush, to whom, Valor Studios delivered Leo's last message: "Serving with you, Mr. Bush, was the honor of my life."
