Who is the “Red Hooded Man”? Trump awarded 9/11 Presidential Medal of Freedom

Trump made the announcement at an event in Rockland County, New York, as the United States approaches the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001. The endorsement came at the request of New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler and other local leaders, Mirror America reported.

“At the request of Bruce, Mike and some of our great politicians, we are approaching the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a day that will be dark and lived in infamy,” Trump said at the event.

“We will posthumously award Welles the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is the highest award outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor,” he added, praising Crowther’s mother for “doing an outstanding job raising this young man.”

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Trump also described Crowther as a symbol of extraordinary bravery, saying: “What a brave boy, to save those people and become a legend in a sense, no one else would have done what he did.”

Crowther became known as “The Man in the Red Bandana” as survivors recalled seeing a young man wearing a red hood helping people escape from burning towers during the terror attack. The turban, reportedly given to him by his father when he was young, is closely associated with his story and heroism.

Before the south tower collapsed, Crowther walked around the building multiple times, guiding people to safety, according to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. He is believed to have saved the lives of up to 18 people during the attack.

Crowther eventually died in the collapse. His body was later recovered from the rubble during a rescue operation.

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During Friday’s announcement, his mother, Alison Crowther, joined Trump on stage and reflected on how her son’s legacy continues to inspire nearly 25 years later.

“It’s such a beautiful thing,” she said, according to the Mirror. “Even 25 years later, Welles’s light still shines.”

She added that she had spent years traveling and sharing her son’s story with children and communities, saying many were inspired to “become better people.”

Today, Crowther’s iconic red bandanna is on display at the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City.