President Donald Trump announced during a rally in Rockland County, New York, on Friday that he was posthumously awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Remy Crowther, the 9/11 hero known as the Man in the Red Bandana.
Crowther was a 24-year-old equities trader who worked on the 104th floor of the South Tower on September 11, 2001. He also served as a volunteer firefighter. After the towers were struck, survivors described being guided through smoke and wreckage by a man wearing a red bandana over his face. According to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, Crowther "made three trips to the sky lobby, saving as many people as he could, until the burning building collapsed." Some reports indicate he saved up to 18 lives. His body was later found in the rubble.
Trump made the announcement alongside Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., who had urged the president to recognize Crowther's heroism ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11. "At the request of Bruce, and Mike, and some of the political — great political people we have, and we are approaching the 25th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, a dark day that will live in infamy. We are posthumously awarding Welles the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump told the crowd.
Trump continued, "It's the highest award outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor — those are the two biggies and Welles has one of them. I just want to congratulate his great mother in doing a phenomenal job in raising that young man. Boy, what bravery, saved those people and became a legend in a sense, nobody else would have done what he did. So he's going to be getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom."
Crowther's mother, Alison Crowther, addressed the crowd after her son's honor was announced. She described the award as a "huge honor" and told those gathered, "It's such a beautiful thing that even 25 years later, Welles' light still shines brightly." She noted that she has traveled the world telling her son's story, including to places as far away as Jordan. When she shares Welles' story with children during those travels, she said, "They're tremendously moved and inspired ... to be better people."
The red bandana Crowther used to cover his face that morning is currently on display at the 9/11 museum in New York City. Crowther had kept the bandana at his desk. That morning, he left his mother a voicemail after the towers were struck to let her know he was okay.
The Tunnels to Towers Foundation, a nonprofit that supports first responders and their families, including those who became victims after 9/11, has also recognized Crowther's story. The announcement comes as the nation prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks later this year.
