When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
"Hurtgen Forest" autographed signIn 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 two Hürtgen veterans—Jake Ruser (4th ID) and Irving Locker (116th AAA).
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.
EDITION:Sign is from 310 limited-edition autographed signs. Includes a seal of authenticity on the reverse side.SIZE:19.75" x 7"(SIGN)SHIPPING:Items ship flat via USPS Mail
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 (1924 - 2026)
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 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.
WHY BUY FROM VALOR STUDIOS?
EXPERIENCE /// Since 1999 we've been creating the world's finest hand-autographed military art and collectibles. We are the only art publisher to conduct signings with Major Dick Winters and Captain Ron Speirs, and we've had the honor of working with former Presidents Bush 41 and Bush 43, General Hal Moore (We Were Soldiers), aviators Charlie Brown and Franz Stigler (A Higher Call), MOH recipient Tom Hudner (Devotion), and many more military heroes.
THE REAL DEAL///Unlike so many autographs we see on , ours are hand-signed and we have the photos to prove it. Combine that with a reputation of being America's leader in military art publishing and you can shop with complete peace of mind.
HONESTY///Our veteran signers know the items they are autographing are for commercial purposes and they're paid generously for their efforts. We're proud to say that some of our veteran friends have been signing with us for 15+ years!
QUALITY///All the products we sell on are new and guaranteed in mint condition. They are printed on museum grade papers with archival inks and with proper care (utilizing archival-grade storage methods) will last longer than any of us.
VALUE///All our veteran signed items are limited in number. Once they sell out there is no creating more and as a result we often see our products appreciate in value.
FAMILY///We're a small family business based in southern Florida, we have New York Times bestselling author Adam Makos (Devotion, A Higher Call & Spearhead) as our company president, his brother Bryan is our art director, and their sister Erica, our sales manager.
MADE HERE///Our fine art lithos, giclees, photos, and books are all printed in America. By buying a Valor Studios product, you're not only supporting an American small business and our veteran signers, but also craftsmen across the country.
