In remembrance of the heroes of 9/11, we honor those who gave everything. Among them was Rick Rescorla, whose unwavering courage and selfless sacrifice illuminated the darkest moments of that tragic day. True heroism emerges when the world needs it most, and Rick embodied that to the fullest.
Born in Cornwall, England, in 1939, Rescorla served in the British Army before immigrating to the United States and joining the U.S. Army. He fought in the Vietnam War as an officer in the 7th Cavalry, earning a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart for his bravery. After the war, Rescorla built a career in corporate security, eventually becoming the director of security for Morgan Stanley, whose offices were located in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
After the 1993 World Trade Center attack, he anticipated the threat of another attack and implemented regular evacuation drills for Morgan Stanley employees, ensuring they were well-prepared for any emergency.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, when the North Tower was struck by the first hijacked plane, Rescorla immediately began evacuating the Morgan Stanley offices in the South Tower, ignoring announcements that urged people to stay at their desks. He led thousands of employees to safety, all while calmly singing Cornish songs to keep people calm.
Despite successfully evacuating nearly all of Morgan Stanley’s 2,700 employees, Rick Rescorla went back into the building to ensure no one was left behind. Tragically, he was still inside the South Tower when it collapsed.
Rick Rescorla's family was honored for his bravery. In 2019, President Donald Trump posthumously awarded Rick Rescorla the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian award in the United States.