SouthernWorldwide.com – President Donald Trump has announced that the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, will be posthumously awarded to Welles Remy Crowther, a hero of the September 11th attacks. Crowther is widely remembered as the “Man in the Red Bandana” for his courageous actions inside the South Tower.
The announcement was made by Trump during a rally in New York. This recognition comes as the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, approaches. Trump stated that the award was made at the request of several individuals, including Congressman Mike Lawler.
Welles Crowther, who was 24 years old at the time of the attacks, was an equities trader and a volunteer firefighter. His bravery came to light through accounts from survivors who were guided to safety through the smoke and debris by a man wearing a red bandana over his face.
“We are posthumously awarding Welles the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Trump declared to the crowd in Rockland County, which responded with applause.
The President emphasized the significance of this award, noting it is the highest honor outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor. He praised Crowther’s bravery and the impact of his actions, stating that he “saved those people and became a legend in a sense.”
Trump also brought Alison Crowther, Welles’ mother, to the stage. She expressed her gratitude, calling the award a “huge honor” and reflecting on how her son’s legacy continues to inspire. She shared that she has traveled globally, sharing Welles’ story with children who are moved and motivated by his example.
“It’s such a beautiful thing that even 25 years later, Welles’ light still shines brightly,” Alison Crowther told the audience.
Welles Crowther was working on the 104th floor of the South Tower when the first plane struck the North Tower. He managed to leave a voicemail for his mother assuring her he was safe shortly after the initial impact. Tragically, his body was later discovered among the wreckage.
According to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Crowther made multiple trips to the sky lobby, assisting as many people as he could before the building collapsed. Reports suggest he may have saved up to 18 lives on that fateful day. He used a red bandana, which he kept at his desk, to cover his nose and mouth.
This distinctive red bandana is now a prominent exhibit at the 9/11 museum in New York City. The Tunnels to Towers Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting first responders and their families, highlighted that Welles consistently carried a red bandana, reportedly telling others, “With this red bandana, I’m going to change the world.” His father had also advised him to always keep one handy for “messy jobs.”
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A survivor rescued by Crowther recounted his profound impact, stating, “People can live 100 years and not have the compassion, the wherewithal to do what he did.”
