Welle Crowther was a equities trader who was credited with saving around a dozen lives during the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Crowther himself lost his life that day. At the opening ceremony for the September 11 museum, Crowther was honored by President Obama. After the tragedy, Crowther became known as “The Man in the Red Bandana.”
Here’s what you need to know about an American hero:
1. He Was a College Lacrosse Star
He was featured on an ESPN’s Outside the Lines where he was celebrated as a Boston College lacrosse player. In his honor, every year Boston College runs the charity Red Bandana Run.
2. Crowther Was a New Yorker
Crowther was native New Yorker, from upstate Nyack, raised by his parents, Jefferson and Allison. He was an older brother to his sisters, Honor and Paige. On the day of the opening ceremony of the 9/11 museum, Paige posted on Facebook about how proud she was of her brother.
Welles pictured with his sister Honor. (Facebook)
3. His Father Gave Him His Signature Red Bandana
He gained his signature red bandana from his father. After watching his dad getting meticulously dressed for church, he noticed his dad wrapping a comb in a red or blue bandana. When he was six, his dad gave his son a red bandana. It was something that Crowther carried with him everywhere in his life.
Pres Obama hugs mother of 9/11 hero "man in the red bandana" Welles Crowther at the National Sept 11 Memorial Museum pic.twitter.com/KzOrgpaD0e
— Team Barack Obama (@TeamBarackObama) May 15, 2014
4. He Dreamed of Joining the FDNY
Like his father, he was a volunteer firefighter. At the age of just 16, he joined the Empire Hook and Ladder Company. Despite pursuing a career in business with Sandler O’Neill and Partners, around the time of 9/11 he grew to dislike it. He felt his real calling was to join the FDNY, or maybe even the FBI or CIA. In 2006, he was posthumously named an honorary member of the New York City fire department.
5. His Body Wasn’t Found Until 6 Months After the Attacks
Family and friends of 9/11 victims cry while U.S. President Barak Obama talks about Welles Crowther. (Getty)
Crowther, who worked on the 104th floor of the south tower, was not found until March 19, 2002. His body did not have any burn marks which led the medical examiner to conclude that Crowther probably died helping other and got stuck. His family were unaware of their son’s heroism until the read Judy Wein’s first-hand account of being saved by a “man in a red bandana.” Subsequently, after meeting Crowther’s parents, Wein identified Welles Crowther as the man who saved her life.