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In the fall of 1944, American infantrymen, tankers, and Rangers entered a place they would never forget—the Hürtgen Forest. Located south of Aachen, its dark, silent woods hid bunkers and fortifications woven into the towering firs.
Cold rain soaked the men, mines erupted underfoot, and artillery shattered the canopy—“Passchendaele with tree bursts,” wrote a correspondent. Each step came at a bloody price. By mid-December, nearly a third of the Americans who entered were casualties. And when the Hürtgen was finally cleared in early 1945, it stood among the U.S. Army’s costliest battles.
This sign honors those who faced the darkness of the Hürtgenwald. Weathered and rugged, it echoes the trails they courageously marched. Each is hand-signed by up to three Hürtgen veterans—Jake Ruser (4th ID), Irving Locker (116th AAA), and John Wardell (2nd Rangers).
More than a display piece, this sign is a reminder of a battle etched in WWII lore. With a limited number worldwide, place your order before they're history.
Shipping added at checkout // size: 19.75" x 7" // ships sleeved & boxed
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MAIN EDITION
310 limited-edition signs, autographed by decorated veterans who fought in the Battle of the Hürtgen Forest during WWII. Now issuing:
2 signature version: Jake Ruser (4 ID) and Irving Locker (116 AAA).
3 signature version: John Wardell (2 Rangers), Jake Ruser (4 ID), and Irving Locker (116 AAA). SOLD OUT
Each sign includes a seal of authenticity on the reverse side bearing the limited-edition number. Extra items shown in display images not included.
OTHER EDITIONS
An Open Edition, bearing no autographs may be released by Valor Studios. A Signer Proof edition of 10 signs exists for project helpers.
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IRVING LOCKER
Irving Locker joined the Army shortly after finishing high school in 1943. On D-Day he landed at Utah Beach as a 19-year-old Staff Sergeant with the 116th AAA Gun Battalion of the 1st Army’s 7th Corps.
In the months that followed, Irving served through some of the war’s harshest campaigns. He and his 90 mm gun battery protected American troops during the Battle of Hürtgen Forest and later in the Battle of the Bulge.
Toward the end of the war, Irving helped liberate a concentration camp near Gardelegen, Germany — an experience that left an indelible mark on him. After Victory in Europe, he returned to civilian life and eventually settled in Florida where he later dedicated himself to preserving and sharing his experiences, giving lectures and presentations — from classroom talks to gatherings at the White House — to ensure future generations never forget the sacrifices made by his brothers in arms.
JAKE RUSER
Jacob Ruser risked everything as a combat medic with the 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, during World War II. In June 1944, he landed on Utah Beach and pushed through the fierce fighting across Europe.
The Battle of Hürtgen Forest (Sept.–Dec. 1944) tested every ounce of his courage. “It was hell on Earth,” he recalled, yet he repeatedly braved steep ravines and gunfire‑riddled terrain to rescue wounded soldiers, saving hundreds of lives. For his heroism, Ruser received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
More than 75 years later, he returned to the Hürtgen Forest in Germany, where a memorial plaque now honors his bravery and the countless lives he helped save.
JOHN WARDELL
John Wardell enlisted in the U.S. Army in October 1943 out of Camden, NJ, and later volunteered for the Rangers while in England. He was assigned to E Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion, and on June 18, 1944, landed on Omaha Beach, participating in the intense fighting of the Normandy campaign.
Following Normandy, his unit advanced into Brittany, taking part in the Battle of Brest. Later in 1944, John and his fellow Rangers fought in the Battle of Hürtgen Forest, where in early December the battalion aimed to seize control of Hill 400 in Bergstein.
On December 7, 1944, John was wounded in the battle yet remarkably rejoined his company on Christmas Day and continued fighting until VE-Day. In recognition of the valor and sacrifices of WWII Rangers, John was among those awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2025, honoring the wartime service of the Rangers.
- Enjoy this short Fox News feature about signer Irving Locker and the new song he wrote at age 101!
