Washington, DC: US President Donald Trump has posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Welles Crowther, the 24-year-old equities trader who died while saving people trapped in the South Tower of the World Trade Centre during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Crowther, who became known as the “Man in the Red Bandana”, was among the civilians who helped others escape the burning tower before losing his own life.

Trump honoured Crowther's family during a ceremony at the Ellipse near the White House, held beside a 16,000-pound steel beam recovered from the World Trade Centre. The beam was brought to Washington as part of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's Steel Across America tour.

According to the White House, the steel beam has travelled more than 10,500 miles as a reminder of the courage shown in the aftermath of the attacks.

Who was Welles Crowther?

Welles Crowther was a 24-year-old equities trader working on the 104th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Centre when the attacks took place.

After the hijacked plane struck the building, Crowther reportedly made his way down to floors where people were trapped and helped them reach safety. He was recognised by survivors because of the red bandana he wore over his face to protect himself from smoke.

Trump recalled Crowther's actions during the ceremony.

“After the plane hit the South Tower, a group of people on the 78th floor were trapped with broken bones, charred skin and eyes, and lungs filled with black smoke. Death was all about them; it was certain. They were sure they were going to die. Then suddenly, a rescuer appeared. They called him the ‘Man in the Red Bandana.’”

Crowther continued helping people even as the South Tower was engulfed in flames. He ultimately died in the building when it collapsed.

Family accepts Medal of Freedom

Crowther's mother, Alison, and sister, Paige, accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom on his behalf.

Alison said the recognition carried deep significance for the family.

“This means the world to me, my daughters, Paige and Honour, and our entire family. This will be treasured for generations to come.”

Jeffrey Palazzo also honoured

Trump also announced that the US Coast Guard will commission a new Fast Response Cutter in memory of Jeffrey Palazzo, an FDNY firefighter and Coast Guard reservist who was among the 343 New York City firefighters killed in the attacks.

Speaking about Palazzo's service, Trump said, “Before September 11, he had already saved many lives… Him and the other members of Rescue Squad 5 died at the World Trade Centre while fighting to rescue fellow New Yorkers.”

Trump vows America will ‘never forget’

Reflecting on the attacks, Trump said, “On 9/11, nearly 3,000 precious souls were stolen from us — killed by evil terrorists at the World Trade Centre, the Pentagon, and on Flight 93. All of these years later, we gather on another Tuesday morning in September to reaffirm the sacred vow we made a quarter of a century ago: we will never forget.”

Trump also pointed to the steel beam recovered from the South Tower as a symbol of resilience.

“In just over 100 minutes, 175,000 tons of steel and concrete were reduced to ruin, and 3,000 lives were extinguished… This battered piece of steel here today on the Ellipse is a reminder that America is blessed with a strength no fire can consume, no evil can conquer, and no terror can destroy.”

He added, “The 16,000-pound beam lifted from the wreckage of the South Tower will forever testify to the courage and resilience and spirit of a city and a nation that saw our homeland struck, our towers knocked down and stood back up stronger, more determined, and more united than ever before… When we see the steel, we’re reminded that no matter what threat or challenge comes our way, America will fight, America will endure, and America will prevail.”

Recognising the sacrifices of first responders, Trump said,

“For the past few months, Tunnel to Towers has taken this steel across the nation to remind Americans of what we overcame that day and what our heroes did…On September 11, 23 members of the New York Police Department, 37 members of the Port Authority Police, three Court officers, and 343 members of the New York Fire Department made the ultimate sacrifice.”

25 years since 9/11 attacks

The White House said Trump and Vice President JD Vance will visit the three attack sites on Friday to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11 and honour the victims and their families.

On September 11, 2001, 19 al-Qaeda terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger planes in a coordinated attack on the United States. Two aircraft were flown into the World Trade Centre's Twin Towers in New York, while another struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

The fourth plane crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew attempted to regain control of the aircraft.

The attacks killed 2,977 people, according to official US figures.

The destruction of the World Trade Centre and the attack on the Pentagon triggered a major national crisis and ushered in a new era of US counterterrorism operations, military engagements and heightened security measures.

At Ground Zero in New York, an annual ceremony continues to honour those killed in the attacks, with relatives reading out the victims' names.

The attacks were orchestrated by al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and followed years of confrontation between the terrorist organisation and the United States.