Defenders of Bastogne by Nicolas Trudgian

  • DESCRIPTION
  • EDITIONS
  • SIGNERS
  • 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

  • VICTORY EDITION - Resale, in mint-condition
    Sold out years ago, this hard-to-find Victory Edition is from an edition of 190 limited-edition prints, signed by artist Nicolas Trudgian and 9 Battle of the Bulge veterans! From the 101st Bastogne defenders are Earl McClung (E/506), Brad Freeman (E/506), Al Mampre (E/506), Bob Noody (F/506), and Chris McEwan (HQ/501). Representing the flyboys are P-47 pilots Herb Prevost (Hell Hawks) and Ed Cottrell (bonus signer). Lastly, are armored heroes Clarence Smoyer (Sherman gunner of “Spearhead” fame) and Wayne Field (6th AD scout). Includes a relic from a C-47 that flew the Bastogne resupply, 101st & 3rd Army pins, two photos relating to Bastogne, and a Certificate of Authenticity with "History Behind the Art."

    ARTIST PROOF - Resale, in mint condition!
    Sold out nearly a decade ago, this extremely rare Artist Proof is from an edition of 155 limited-edition prints, signed by Nicolas Trudgian and including the autographs of 14 Battle of the Bulge veterans: On a separate signature card, perfect to frame with the print, is Band of Brothers legend "Wild Bill" Guarnere. Signing on the print are E-Company Bastogne defenders Buck Compton, Earl McClung, Babe Heffron, Al Mampre, Clancy Lyall, and Brad Freeman, P-47 pilots Bernie Sledzik (his squadron is shown), Herb Prevost, and Ed Cottrell (bonus signer), Sherman tanker Les Underwood (Spearhead), Malmedy survivor Ted Paluch, and riflemen Bob Keck and Jack Blickenderfer. Includes a metal relic from a C-47 that flew the Bastogne resupply, 101st & 3rd Army pins, two photos relating to Bastogne, and a Certificate of Authenticity with "History Behind the Art."

    OTHER EDITIONS
    "Defenders of Bastogne" included print editions with up to 18 autographs. To discover what other prints we have available for resale, that are not listed on this page, please email us here.

  • "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

    Les Underwood
    3rd Armored Division "Spearhead" Sherman gunner & Pershing commander

$495 USD

THE REAL DEAL
Our autographed products are hand-signed by the heroes who were there!
THE VALOR STUDIOS DIFFERENCE
We financially compensate our veteran signers for their autographs.
GET 'EM WHILE YOU CAN
Nearly all of our prints are limited-editions bearing an exclusively assigned number.
HISTORICAL TREASURE
Once a signed item sells out, it often appreciates in value due to its rarity.