Trump posthumously awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to 9/11’s ‘Man in the Red Bandana’

Trump recounted the story of Crowther, an equities trader and volunteer firefighter, who found an opening in a stairwell of the World Trade Center’s South Tower on September 11, 2001, after a plane had been flown into it, trapping people.

“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. Death was all about them. It was certain. They were sure they were going to die. Then suddenly a rescue appeared. They called him the Man in the Red Bandana.”

Trump said Crowther had found an opening in the stairwell and set off looking for survivors. “When he heard cries for help on the 78th floor, he began extinguishing the fires blocking the exit, directing survivors who could walk, of which there weren't that many. He helped some out physically. He literally pulled them out toward the only working stairwell and carried those who couldn't walk. And he just did things that people said were not even imaginable because they knew they were dead.”

Trump said that Crowther’s father, who was also a volunteer firefighter, had given him his signature bandana. “When asked why he always kept it, Welles replied, ‘With this red bandana, I'm going to change the world. I'm going to change the world with this bandana.’ Little did he know, on September 11th, Welles saved many, many people before losing his own life in the South Tower lobby when the building came down.”

Crowther’s mother, Allison, received the award, thanking Trump “for this enormous honor that you bestowed upon my son Welles in remembrance of his selfless actions on September 11th.” She said, “This will be treasured for generations to come.”

She later added, “That Wells's light still shines brilliantly today, even after 25 years, is testament to his legacy of courage, compassion, and love for humanity that continues to inspire and uplift others.” She said that on that fateful day, Crowther was no longer an equities trader, “he was a firefighter.”

Closing out the ceremony, Trump said that “a while ago, years, I promised mom and sister that Welles was going to get the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and we didn’t forget. So we didn’t forget. We never forget.”