President Donald Trump on Tuesday 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 actions during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The president also announced the naming of a new Coast Guard cutter in honor of Jeffrey Palazzo, a Coast Guard reservist and New York City firefighter who died in the attacks.
The ceremony, held at the White House Ellipse, was part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s "Steel Across America" event, which featured a 21-foot steel beam recovered from the South Tower of the World Trade Center. The beam, weighing nearly 17,000 pounds, was displayed as a symbol of resilience and remembrance. Trump attended the event alongside 150 first responders from New York, as well as dozens of military personnel and first responders from Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.
During his remarks, Trump highlighted Crowther’s bravery, describing how he saved up to 18 people trapped on the 78th floor of the South Tower before losing his own life. The president also joked about Crowther’s posthumous fame, saying, "The man in the red bandana has become more famous than me. I don’t like it. Very unhappy." Trump additionally announced the commissioning of a new Coast Guard fast-response cutter named in Palazzo’s honor, recognizing his dual service as a firefighter and reservist.
The event marked the beginning of a week of commemorations leading up to the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, including a procession of the steel beam through New York on Friday, retracing the steps of fallen firefighter Stephen Siller. Trump is scheduled to attend additional events at the Pentagon on Friday.
In his speech, Trump vowed to "never forget" the victims of the attacks, calling the steel beam a reminder of America’s strength. The ceremony underscored the administration’s commitment to honoring first responders and military personnel who responded to the attacks.
The White House event also coincided with the imposition of Canadian counter-tariffs on U.S. goods, valued at $20 billion, though this development was not directly addressed in the president’s remarks.