The photograph is signed by (21) WWII veterans who took part in major WWII battles such as D-Day (Normandy) landed in the 1st Wave, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Peleliu, Italy, Anzio, Okinawa, Holland, and Battle of the Bulge. In addition these veterans served with elite units such as the Band of Brothers Buck Compton Earl “One Lung” McClung and Paul Rogers, 101st AB 506th PIR, 82nd AB 504th PIR, Big Red One, K/3/5 featured in HBO’s miniseries The Pacific, Ace Pilot, Carlson’s Rangers, Marine Raiders, 28th Marines Easy Company who were the flag raising unit, USS Ward fired the first shot of the Pacific War, 56th Fighter Group Pilots, exc…

The autographed combo signed 11x14 photograph is autographed by the following (21) WWII veterans:

-Melvin Biddle (Deceased) WWII Medal of Honor Citation: He displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy near Soy, Belgium, on 23 and 24 December 1944. Serving as lead scout during an attack to relieve the enemy-encircled town of Hotton, he aggressively penetrated a densely wooded area, advanced 400 yards until he came within range of intense enemy rifle fire, and within 20 yards of enemy positions killed 3 snipers with unerring marksmanship. Courageously continuing his advance an additional 200 yards, he discovered a hostile machine-gun position and dispatched its 2 occupants. He then located the approximate position of a well-concealed enemy machine-gun nest, and crawling forward threw hand grenades which killed two Germans and fatally wounded a third. After signaling his company to advance, he entered a determined line of enemy defense, coolly and deliberately shifted his position, and shot 3 more enemy soldiers. Undaunted by enemy fire, he crawled within 20 yards of a machine-gun nest, tossed his last hand grenade into the position, and after the explosion charged the emplacement firing his rifle. When night fell, he scouted enemy positions alone for several hours and returned with valuable information which enabled our attacking infantry and armor to knock out 2 enemy tanks. At daybreak he again led the advance and, when flanking elements were pinned down by enemy fire, without hesitation made his way toward a hostile machine-gun position and from a distance of 50 yards killed the crew and 2 supporting riflemen. The remainder of the enemy, finding themselves without automatic weapon support, fled panic stricken. Pfc. Biddle's intrepid courage and superb daring during his 20-hour action enabled his battalion to break the enemy grasp on Hotton with a minimum of casualties

-Buck Compton WWII 101st AB 506th PIR Easy Company Band of Brothers, D-Day Normandy, Operation Market Garden Holland, Battle of the Bulge, Silver Star (3rd highest military decoration), Purple Heart. Silver Star Citation: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes Pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Lynn D. Compton, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 2d Platoon, Company E, 2d Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action at Normandy, France, in June 1944.

-Earl “One Lung” McClung WWII 101st AB 506th PIR Easy Company Band of Brothers, D-Day Normandy, Operation Market Garden Holland, Battle of the Bulge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart.

-Paul Rogers WWII 101st AB Easy Company Band of Brothers, D-Day Normandy, Operation Market Garden Holland, Battle of the Bulge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart

-Kenneth Dahlberg WWII Ace Pilot 14 Air Victories Distinguished Service Cross (2nd highest military decoration in U.S. Army). Featured on History Channels Dogfight program.

-Olin Gray WWII Fourth Marine Raider Battalion armed with a .30 caliber browning machine gun single handedly for two hours firing over 2,000 rounds took on and eliminated numerous Japanese soldiers firing at him from several Japanese machine gun nests. Recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross (2nd highest military decoration in U.S. Army) his story appeared on History Channels: Shootout! Olin Gray’s actions that he received the Distinguished Service Cross for are unquestionably some of the most heroic actions during WWII. During an operation against armed Japanese enemy forces in the Solomon Islands on July 20th, 1943 Gray’s entire Marine Raider machine-gun squad had been either killed or wounded. Gray on his own initiative took over the gun and manned it single-handedly with spectacular daring and zeal during the entire action. He repeatedly exposed himself purposely to the Japanese and boldly invited fire so that their gun positions would be divulged. These challenging tactics netted him the discovery and destruction of two enemy machine-gun nests. That night Gray slipped into the jungle of Bairoko Harbor. During a withdrawal he covered the rear elements of his company and was the last man to leave the area. The biography above does not do justice to Olin Gray’s remarkable actions single handedly taking on Japanese forces for two hours with a .30 caliber browning machine gun. Please view the 8 minute video in the link below from “Shootout!: The Pacific” that recreated Gray’s heroic actions during WWII. Olin Gray’s military experiences start at 59 seconds into this clip:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTTnLoc8gYE

-Fred Miller WWII New Britain, Battle of Peleliu K/3/5 featured in the new HBO The Pacific. Miller served in the same company as E.B. Sledge

-Col. John Brook RARE WWII Big Red One D-Day 1st Wave, Korea, Vietnam two tours

-Roy Creek WWII 82nd AB 507 PIR D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Bronze Star

-Ray Merell WWII 2nd Raider Battalion H Company Carlson’s Rangers, Okinawa

-Robert Radbaugh WWII Bougainville, Iwo Jima 28th Marines Easy Company flag raising unit at Iwo Jima carried a 30 cal. water cooled machine gun in combat Purple Heart

-Jesse Dunegan WWII 1939-1946 Pearl Harbor aboard the USS California had to abandon ship when it was sunk by the Japanese. Later served aboard the USS McCalla in the Pacific Battle of Guadalcanal, Korea 1950-1955, Vietnam 1961-1975

-Major Gordon Batdorf WWII P-47 Thunderbolt UN-B pilot of Bat Out Of Hell 63rd Fighter Squadron 56th Fighter Group one of the original members of the 56th FG that started out at Mitchell Field, CT flew as Hub Zemke’s wingman many times. Credited with one damaged Luftwaffe aircraft on October 20th, 1943

-Louis Napeir WWII 1943-1945 82nd AB 504th PIR Italy, Anzio, Holland, Battle of the Bulge, Bronze Star

-Lt. Comdr. Vincent Muirhead WWII Pearl Harbor Survivor aboard the USS Maryland. He was a USN VF-16 pilot and flew off the USS Randolf 

-Lt Col. Richard Hewitt WWII 82nd Fighter Squadron 4 kills, Silver Star (3rd highest military decoration), DFC, Air Medal

-Kenneth Swedberg WWII Pearl Harbor USS Ward fired the first shot of the Pacific War

-Richard Thill WWII Pearl Harbor USS Ward fired the first shot of the Pacific War

-John Entenman WWII Pearl Harbor USS Ward fired the first shot of the Pacific War

-Eugene Bason WWII 62nd FS, 56th FG, pilot of P-47 Thunderbolt “Pipsqueak” wingman of top ace pilots Dave Schillings (WWII Ace 22.5 Victories) and Fred Christensen (WWII Ace 21.5 Victories) 

-Herbert Fick WWII 4th Marine Division Iwo Jima. Engaged the Japanese in an attempt to take control of airfield for B-29’s to land on.

THIS IS AN AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED 11x14 INCH PHOTOGRAPH. I ONLY SELL AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA. I do not sell reprints or facsimile autographs. When you bid on my items you will receive the real deal authentic hand autographed items. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. I combined S&H when multiple items are purchased. I ship items internationally the price for international S&H varies by country. I currently have other rare autographed military and historical signed items available. Please take a look at my other auctions of rare military and historical autographed items.