Trump says he will award highest civilian honor to 9/11 hero remembered as 'Man in the Red Bandana'

President Donald Trump said Friday that he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to a hero who saved many Americans during the Sept. 11 terror attacks in 2001, who is remembered as the "man in the red bandana."

The president made the announcement during a campaign stop for New York GOP Rep. Mike Lawler, who pushed Trump to recognize the New Yorker's heroism ahead of the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11, according to Fox News.

Welles Remy Crowther, a 24-year-old volunteer firefighter, has become a symbol of American heroism after survivors described being guided through the wreckage by a man who covered his face with a red bandana.

"At the request of Bruce, and Mike, and some of the political — great political people we have, and we are approaching the 25th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, a dark day that will live in infamy. We are posthumously awarding Welles the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump told the crowd at Rockland Community College. 

"It's the highest award outside of the Congressional Medal of Honor — those are the two biggies and Welles has one of them," Trump continued. "I just want to congratulate his great mother in doing a phenomenal job in raising that young man. Boy, what bravery, saved those people and became a legend in a sense, nobody else would have done what he did. So he's going to be getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

Crowther was an equities trader who died in the South Tower while carrying out rescue missions. He initially survived the attacks but his body was later found in the rubble after he made at least three rescue trips. 

The total number of people he rescued was not clear, but some reports have indicated that he saved as many as 18 people. His red bandana is featured at the 9/11 museum in New York City.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.