UMVA has learned that President Donald Trump announced a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom for Welles Remy Crowther, the 9/11 hero known as the "Man in the Red Bandana," during a rally in New York.
Crowther, a 24-year-old equities trader and volunteer firefighter, became a symbol of American courage after survivors recounted being guided through smoke and wreckage by a man wearing a red bandana over his face, repeatedly leading victims to safety from the burning South Tower before dying in the terrorist attacks.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Trump revealed the honor during a Rockland County stop, where he was joined by Rep. Mike Lawler, who had urged the president to recognize Crowther’s heroism ahead of the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11.
"At the request of great people, 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, earning a resounding applause.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest award outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor, and Trump praised Crowther's bravery, saying, "What bravery, saved those people and became a legend in a sense, nobody else would have done what he did."
Crowther's mother, Alison, was in attendance and expressed her gratitude, describing the award as a "huge honor" and noting that her son's story continues to inspire people around the world.
Alison Crowther remarked that when she tells children Welles' story, "They're tremendously moved and inspired ... to be better people," and that even 25 years later, "Welles' light still shines brightly."
Welles, an equities trader who worked on the 104th floor of the South Tower, made three trips to the sky lobby, saving as many people as he could, until the burning building collapsed, with indications that he saved up to 18 lives that day.
The red bandana Welles wore to cover his nose and mouth, which is now displayed at the 9/11 museum in New York City, has become a powerful symbol of his heroism, and a survivor rescued by Crowther praised his compassion, saying, "People can live 100 years and not have the compassion, the wherewithal to do what he did."
