President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, a volunteer firefighter and equities trader known as the "man in the red bandana" for his heroism on September 11, 2001. The award was presented Tuesday during Tunnel to Towers' "Steel Across America" event in Washington, D.C.
Trump described Crowther's actions in the South Tower of the World Trade Center, where he saved up to 18 people. According to the president, Crowther, then 24, found a usable stairwell and made repeated trips to rescue trapped individuals on the 78th floor, even as the building was engulfed in smoke and debris.
"He began extinguishing the fires, blocking the exit, directing survivors who could walk... He helped them out physically. They literally pulled him out toward the only working stairwell and carried those who couldn't walk," Trump recounted. "He willingly made all of these trips up and down, up and down, up and down, over and over again, saving life after life."
Crowther, who was a volunteer firefighter from Rockland County, New York, died in the South Tower lobby when it collapsed. His father, also a firefighter, had given him a red bandana, which Crowther reportedly kept with him, stating his intention to "change the world." His bravery during the attacks has since been the subject of documentaries and widespread admiration.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor awarded by the United States. Trump stated that the award was presented to Crowther's family in his honor, acknowledging his "incredible bravery and all of the other countless unknown acts of heroism that day."