Welles Crowther: The Man in the Red Bandana, A Hero of September 11th

Welles Crowther: The Man in the Red Bandana, A Hero of September 11th

Welles Crowther, a former college lacrosse player from Nyack, New York, became a symbol of courage and selflessness on September 11, 2001, when he saved as many as 18 lives during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Known as “The Man in the Red Bandana,” Crowther’s heroic actions that day embody a story of quiet strength, sacrifice, and bravery in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

A graduate of Boston College, where he played Division I lacrosse, Crowther carried with him the values of teamwork, discipline, and leadership that sports often instill. His trademark was a red bandana, something he had carried since childhood, a gift from his father. That bandana, once a simple token of family, would come to represent the lives he saved and the legacy he left behind.

On the morning of September 11, Welles was working as an equities trader on the 104th floor of the South Tower. When United Airlines Flight 175 struck the building, chaos erupted as thick smoke and flames filled the air. Amidst the confusion, Crowther remained calm. Witnesses would later recount how a young man, wearing a red bandana, appeared from the smoke, taking charge and guiding people to safety.

One survivor, Ling Young, remembers how Welles led her and others down 17 floors to safety, only to turn back and help others trapped on the upper floors. He carried a woman on his back and returned to guide more people to the stairwell. His voice was firm, telling people, “Follow me, I know the way.” It was this cool-headed leadership that saved lives.

In total, Crowther is credited with saving as many as 18 people that day. Tragically, after making multiple trips to rescue others, he did not make it out himself. His body was later found in the rubble alongside firefighters who had also been working to save lives.

For months, Crowther’s family knew little about his final moments. But in May 2002, The New York Times published an article recounting the stories of survivors who mentioned “the man in the red bandana.” Crowther’s mother, Alison Crowther, recognized her son immediately. The survivors’ descriptions and the iconic red bandana confirmed that Welles had been the man guiding people to safety.

Crowther’s story became widely known, and he is remembered as a hero who gave his life to save others. Boston College, where he had once been a standout athlete, honors his memory every year during the “Red Bandana Game,” where players wear red bandanas in his honor. The event serves as a reminder of Crowther’s legacy of selflessness, courage, and community—values he carried both on and off the lacrosse field.

Crowther’s family also established The Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust, which supports young people through education and community service. His life and sacrifice continue to inspire others, showing the profound impact one person can have when they choose to put others before themselves.

The red bandana, once a simple piece of cloth, has become a powerful symbol of heroism. It represents Welles Crowther’s legacy as a leader, both in sports and in life, who embodied the values of service, sacrifice, and bravery to his last breath. On that tragic day, Welles became more than a college lacrosse player or a financial professional—he became a hero whose actions saved lives and whose story continues to touch hearts and inspire generations.

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