Welles Crowther

9/11 when the planes crashed into the twin towershttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh28XcnpzX4

8:45 AM, September 11th, 2001. Just a normal day in downtown New York, but one minute changed that; the United States was shaken. Welles Crowther was a brave man that rushed around in the burning building to eventually save a dozen people and inspire individuals to this day. Crowther grew up as the son of a firefighter in Upper Nyack, New York. After college, he transitioned into working for a bank which led him to the Southern Tower that fateful morning. The Boeing 676, American Airlines Flight 11 struck from floors 93-99 instantly impacting the world. Unfortunately, his life was taken along with the 2,976 others that day. Nevertheless, this influential man lives on, through the lives of thousands of Americans who consider him their hero. A hero must be fearless putting others’ needs above their own, devoting their whole being into serving without hesitation. Welles Crowther possesses courageousness and selflessness which makes him a hero.

CrowthThis Is Welles Crowther's red bandanna that he was wearing when he rescued the 12 people from the southern twin tower. https://newbostonpost.com/2016/08/02/registration-open-for-event-honoring-bcs-911-red-bandana-hero/er saved the lives of a dozen people in effect of his courageous attitude and brave spirit. He rescued 12 people from the South Tower and tried to save as many people as he could, until his final breath that dark day. “Welles Remy Crowther, also known as "The Man in the Red Bandanna," who, according to survivor accounts, saved as many as 12 people following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001” (State News Service, 3). Welles Crowther knew exactly what his morals were and used his courage to help others. It was not  his duty to rescue people from the building or help direct the appalled citizens, like the firefighters, but it was his choice to sacrifice his life so that those dozen people could live. He maintained a heroic and relaxed attitude in even the most stressful of situations. This relaxed mindset demonstrated confidence and reflected calmness over the panicked crowd. “When hijacked Flight 175 hit the World Trade Center’s South Tower, people on the 78th floor sky lobby huddled together, frightened and confused. There was no escape as far as they could tell. Then, a man with a red bandana covering his nose and mouth suddenly appeared from the wreckage and smoke. He spoke in a calm voice and guided them to a stairway, leading them to safety. The man in the red bandana made three trips to the sky lobby, saving as many people as he could, until the burning building collapsed”  (9/11 Memorial Staff, 2). Crowther’s composed nature, and positive reassurance that everyone would be okay, led to his successful rescue. To remain so calm, in a life or death situation, requires bravery and focus on others’ needs rather than his own. Crowther used his courage to help save those innocent strangers that doomful day.

Crowther was also selfless, and decided to go save others with the risk of losing his own life. His noble character showed when he helpThis is the Award given to courageous people that year. It was created in honor of Welles Crowther and his courageous act.https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/score-hears-mets-honor-9-11-civilian-hero-article-1.1922516ed save a woman by carrying her down to safety. “...the incredible story of Welles Crowther, a 24-year old civilian who gave his life saving others in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. His heroics included carrying a woman on his shoulder down 17 flights of stairs. His bravery and courage only came to light eight months later due to an ordinary object -a red bandana” (Verdi Productions, 4). Crowther’s persistence and generosity was shown through the heroic act of saving a dozen people, but specifically one woman in particular. After guiding people down the smoky building, he needed to carry a woman down seventeen flights of stairs to safety single-handedly. After saving her life, he fearlessly returned to the building to attempt to save more of the innocent civilians, before his life was ended at such a young age. Crowther was always a very selfless man, and most only got to witness a glimpse of his impact on others. “As a recent graduate from Boston College, a school rooted in the Jesuit tradition, I can see how Welles learned to become, as they say in Chestnut Hill, ‘a man for and with others.’ Although he likely had a natural inclination for service, his personal and vocational formation at Boston College perhaps helped to deepen and develop his mature sense of selflessness” (Genovese 10). This quote demonstrates just one of the ways that Crowther was a selfless man, even from a young age, which led him to his decision to risk everything for others. As a product of his past and experiences, he instinctively reacted for others as he had learned to, starting at the age of 7 in the Fire House. At 24, Welles Crowther showed undeniable selflessness and gave his life in order to save those helpless strangers that would have died without him.

Crowther is heroic because of his courageous attitude and selfless morals. He was a brave young man that made the ultimate sacrifice to save other innocent citizens in the burning South Tower in New York on September 11, 2001. Crowther inspires me to live everyday with enthusiasm and purpose. He reminds me to think about others more and put their needs above my own. Welles Crowther’s influential and heroic actions makes one question their morals and how far they would really go to help others escape the flames of life.

Works Cited

9/11 Memorial and Museum. “Remembering the 'Man in the Red Bandana'.” National September 11 Memorial & Museum, 2 Sept. 2015, www.911memorial.org/blog/remembering-%E2%80%98man-red-bandana%E2%80%99.

"AMERICAN HEROES CHANNEL PARTNERS WITH TIME INC.'S PEOPLE[R] TO PRESENT THE 2017 RED BANDANNA HERO AWARD IN MEMORY OF 9/11 HERO WELLES REMY CROWTHER." States News Service, 9 May 2017. Biography in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A491465831/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=cbeda3ce. Accessed 29 Jan. 2018.

Genovese, Nick. “What Prepared Welles Crowther to Lay down His Life for Others on 9/11?” America Magazine, 7 Nov. 2016, www.americamagazine.org/content/all-things/man-red-bandanna-gave-his-life-save-it.

Verdi Productions and Manga Entertainment to Unveil 9/11 Documentary Entitled 'Man in Red Bandana'." Entertainment Close-up, 16 Mar. 2017. Biography in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A485659422/BIC1?u=powa9245&xid=7036f3d5. Accessed 1 Feb. 2018.