Welles Remy Crowther — the Sept. 11 hero known as the man in the red bandana — will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Donald Trump announced in Crowther’s native Rockland County.
Trump, speaking at a rally to support the re-election of U.S. Rep Mike Lawler, the Pearl River Republican who represents New York’s 17th Congressinal District, on Friday, May 22 at Rockland Community College, said he planned to posthumously present Crowther with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Who was Welles Remy Crowther?
Crowther, an Upper Nyack native who was an equities trader who worked at the World Trade Center, gained international notoriety after he wrapped his signature red bandana across his face and headed through the thick smoke to lead people out of the south tower during the terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Crowther, who had worked on the 104th floor of the South Tower, died in the collapse of the tower that day.
He was credited with saving 18 lives that day.
A graduate of Boston College, Crowther had always carried a red bandana. His father, Jefferson, always carried a blue bandana.
Lawler had advocated for Crowther’s honor
Lawler had advocated Trump to present the posthumous honor and Trump announced he’d do so at Friday’s rally.
Last Sept. 12, Lawler announced his effort while speaking at a 9/11 remembrance event at Empire Hook & Ladder, known as “Goosetown,” in Upper Nyack, where Crowther and his father, the late Jefferson Crowther, had volunteered.
After the event last fall, Lawler told the press that he had given a red bandana from Crowther’s mother, Alison Crowther, to Trump as they took in Yankees game on Sept. 11, 2025.
What did Trump say?
“The man in the red bandana,” Trump, said Friday as he spoke at the Lawler rally. “A 24 year-old equities trader, a wonderful guy, had a perfect life right here in Rockland County. He was a legend … who gave his life on 9/11 to save 18 people from the World Trade Center.”
“We are approaching the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001,” Trump said, while welcoming Alison Crowther, Welles Crother’s mother, to the rally’s stage. “We are posthumously awaring Welles the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest award outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor.”
“Thank you, all. Thank you, Mr. President,” Alison Crowther said, thanking Lawler and other Rockland political figures who have worked to advocate for recognition of her son.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Welles Crowther, 9/11 hero, will receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Reporting by Nancy Cutler, Chris McKenna, Matt Richter and Peter Carr, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
