The family of Welles Crowther, known as "The Man in the Red Bandana," accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday from President Donald Trump. Crowther was posthumously recognized for his heroic actions during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Crowther, a firefighter and volunteer with the New York City Fire Department, was credited with saving the lives of at least a dozen people trapped in the World Trade Center that day. He re-entered the burning towers multiple times to guide survivors to safety before succumbing to the collapse of the South Tower. His distinctive red bandana, worn to protect himself from dust, became a symbol of his bravery.
His actions were widely publicized in the years following the attacks, with many crediting his selflessness with saving lives that might otherwise have been lost. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States' highest civilian honor, awarded for "an especially meritorious direct or indirect contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, or to world peace."