US President Donald Trump says he will posthumously grant a 9/11 hero the nation’s top civilian distinction, recognizing the man’s actions during the 2001 attacks.
Speaking at a rally, Trump said Welles Remy Crowther — widely remembered as the ‘Man in the Red Bandana’ — is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom as the country nears 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 crowds at Rockland County.
“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.”
For years, survivors have described being assisted by a stranger with a red bandana pulled over his nose and mouth, who helped usher people away from danger inside the World Trade Center.
According to the 9/11 memorial website: “A man with a red bandana covering his nose and mouth suddenly appeared from the wreckage and smoke. He spoke in a calm voice and guided them to a stairway, leading them to safety. The man in the red bandana made three trips to the sky lobby, saving as many people as he could, until the burning building collapsed.”
In the aftermath, as more firsthand accounts surfaced, the identity of the ‘man in the red bandana’ became a focus of public attention.
After reading several of those stories in The New York Times, Alison Crowther said she immediately realized the rescuer being described was her son, Welles.
“He had carried a red handkerchief since he was a boy. Welles Crowther worked as an equities trader and was also a volunteer firefighter,” the site explains.
“Welles Crowther’s bravery and heroism on 9/11 will never be forgotten. As survivor Judy Wein, who was rescued by Crowther notes, ‘People can live 100 years and not have the compassion, the wherewithal to do what he did’.”
During the rally, Trump invited Alison onto the stage, where she described the recognition as a ‘huge honor’.
“It’s such a beautiful thing that even 25 years later, Welles’ light still shines brightly,” she told the crowd.
Crowther’s red bandana is now displayed at the 9/11 Museum.