President Donald Trump fulfilled a promise to the family of a celebrated 9/11 hero on Tuesday, posthumously awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther—the volunteer firefighter credited with saving as many as 18 people inside the World Trade Center.
Trump presented the nation’s highest civilian honor during the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s “Steel Across America” ceremony in Washington, D.C., as the country prepared to observe the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Crowther, who died at just 24 years old, became known as the “Man in the Red Bandana” after survivors described the stranger who repeatedly guided injured victims away from the South Tower’s burning upper floors.
“Today we also remember another hero of 9/11,” Trump said. “After the plane hit the South Tower, a group of people on the 78th floor were trapped with broken bones, charred skin and eyes and lungs filled with black smoke.”
“Then suddenly a rescuer appeared,” the president continued.
Trump Fulfills His Promise To Crowther’s Family
Trump initially announced the posthumous award during a May appearance in Rockland County, New York, where Crowther grew up.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) had urged the president to recognize the young rescuer ahead of the milestone anniversary.
“We are posthumously awarding Welles the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Trump declared at the time, according to Fox News.
Trump called Crowther a “legend” and praised his mother, Alison, for raising a son capable of such extraordinary bravery.
Alison Crowther described the recognition as a “huge honor,” telling the crowd that her son’s example continues to inspire people nearly a quarter-century after his death.
“It’s such a beautiful thing that even 25 years later, Welles’ light still shines brightly,” she said.
Tuesday’s ceremony completed that promise, formally placing Crowther among the Americans who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for exceptional contributions to the country.
‘Saving Life After Life’
Crowther was working as an equities trader on the South Tower’s 104th floor when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
He had become a volunteer firefighter in Upper Nyack at 16 and reportedly hoped to eventually leave finance for a career of public service.
After United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower, Crowther made his way to the badly damaged 78th-floor sky lobby. There, he found wounded survivors and helped direct them toward the only usable stairwell.
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum recounts that Crowther carried a badly injured woman on his back and led one group down several floors before returning to help more people.
Rather than continue toward safety, he repeatedly climbed back into the smoke and destruction.
“He willingly made all of these trips up and down, up and down, up and down, over and over again, saving life after life,” Trump said Tuesday.
The president described how Crowther helped fight fires, assisted people who could no longer walk and directed survivors through the narrow path that remained open.
Crowther ultimately died when the South Tower collapsed. His remains were recovered in March 2002 near firefighters and other emergency personnel in what was believed to have been a rescue command post.
The Meaning Behind The Bandana
The red bandana that eventually revealed Crowther’s identity was a gift from his father, who was also a firefighter.
Crowther carried one throughout his childhood and into adulthood. On 9/11, he reportedly used it to shield his nose and mouth from the thick smoke filling the South Tower.
His family did not learn about his rescue efforts until survivors began sharing accounts of an unknown man whose face had been partially covered by red cloth. When they were later shown Crowther’s photograph, survivors identified him as the person who had led them to safety.
One of his bandanas is now part of the permanent collection at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
“When asked why he always kept it, Welles replied, ‘With this red bandana, I’m going to change the world,’” Trump said.
“Little did he know, on September 11th Welles saved many, many people before losing his own life in the South Tower lobby.”
Honoring America’s 9/11 Heroes
Trump delivered the tribute beside a massive World Trade Center beam carried across the country by Tunnel to Towers as part of its 25th-anniversary commemorations.
The Steel Across America tour was scheduled to travel more than 10,500 miles and visit over 35 communities before returning to Ground Zero.
The foundation launched the tour to honor the 2,977 people killed on 9/11 and teach younger Americans about the courage demonstrated by civilians and first responders that day.
Trump said Crowther’s medal also recognized the many acts of heroism that may never be fully documented.
“Today, in honor of his incredible bravery and all of the other countless unknown acts of heroism that day, it is my privilege to award” the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Trump said.
“Welles is up there looking down at his mom and his sister, his family.”
