Twenty-five years after United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a Pennsylvania field, the 40 passengers and crew members who died preventing a likely attack on Washington, D.C., have yet to receive the United States’ highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
On September 11, 2001, four al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked Flight 93, which departed Newark, New Jersey, bound for San Francisco. The hijackers stormed the cockpit, overpowered the crew, and turned the plane toward Washington, D.C. Passengers and crew, learning of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, launched a counterattack to retake the cockpit. The plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board. Investigations later confirmed the plane’s intended target was likely the U.S. Capitol.
Families of the victims and advocates are renewing calls for the U.S. government to posthumously award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the 40 individuals, citing their actions as a defining act of heroism in national security. The medal, established by President John F. Kennedy, recognizes those who have made “an especially meritorious contribution” to U.S. interests, world peace, or significant public endeavors.
The Final Moments: What Transpired Aboard Flight 93
Flight 93 took off at 8:42 a.m. and was hijacked at 9:28 a.m. by four al-Qaeda operatives. The terrorists breached the cockpit, stabbed the pilot and co-pilot, and forced passengers to the rear of the aircraft. Among the first to die were flight attendant Deborah Walsh and passenger Mark Rothenberg, who were fatally wounded during the assault.
Passengers and crew made multiple phone calls to loved ones and emergency services, learning of the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Using this information, they decided to act. At approximately 9:57 a.m., passengers launched their counterattack, attempting to storm the cockpit. Ground controllers and family members listening in heard shouts of “Let’s roll” before the line went dead.
The plane crashed at 10:03 a.m. in a rural field near Shanksville. Investigators later determined the hijackers deliberately downed the aircraft to prevent passengers from retaking control. The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed the plane’s flight path had been altered toward Washington, D.C., with the Capitol as a probable target.
The Push for Recognition: Advocacy and Policy Debate
Families of Flight 93 victims, including Gordon Felt, whose brother Edward Felt died on the flight, have long advocated for the Presidential Medal of Freedom to be awarded posthumously to the 40 individuals. The medal has been given to figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Neil Armstrong, and Rosa Parks, often for contributions to national security or civil rights.
Advocates argue that the passengers and crew of Flight 93 meet the criteria for the award due to their actions, which directly prevented further loss of life. “The good guys won that day,” Gordon Felt said in a National Park Service ceremony marking the 25th anniversary. “The bad guys were defeated.”
Others note that the Presidential Medal of Freedom has been awarded posthumously in the past, including to John F. Kennedy and Babe Ruth, reinforcing the precedent for honoring Flight 93’s passengers and crew.
Opponents of the award, while acknowledging the heroism of Flight 93’s passengers, argue that the medal is typically reserved for individuals whose contributions extend beyond a single act of defiance. Some policy experts suggest that the Congressional Gold Medal, which has been awarded to groups in the past, may be a more appropriate recognition.
The Memorial and Public Remembrance
The Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, draws over 300,000 visitors annually, who walk the flight path and reflect at the crash site. The memorial, managed by the National Park Service, includes a Crescent of Embrace design, a circular walkway framing the impact crater.
At the 25th anniversary ceremony, speakers emphasized the enduring legacy of Flight 93’s passengers. “We stand in the presence of the 40 souls who lost their lives at the far edge of this field,” Gordon Felt said. “It’s gratifying to know that people take the time to learn their story.”
The phone call transcripts from Flight 93, including one from passenger Todd Beamer, who famously said, “Let’s roll,” have become iconic symbols of courage. Beamer’s call to air traffic control, in which he described the passengers’ plan to retake the cockpit, was later released in full by the Washington Examiner.
Policy and Legislative Efforts
In recent years, bipartisan legislation has been introduced in Congress to formally recognize Flight 93’s passengers and crew. The “Honoring Heroes of Flight 93 Act”, introduced in 2021, sought to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the group. While the bill gained traction, it has not yet been signed into law.
Supporters of the legislation argue that the Congressional Gold Medal is a fitting tribute, as it has been awarded to other groups, such as the Navajo Code Talkers and the Tuskegee Airmen. Opponents contend that the Presidential Medal of Freedom remains the more prestigious honor, given its association with the White House.
The White House has not indicated whether it plans to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to the Flight 93 passengers and crew. A spokesperson for the Biden administration declined to comment on the record.