Remembering Rick Rescorla (1939-2001)
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- Опубликовано: 9 сен 2021
- Richard “Rick” Rescorla was born in Cornwall, England in 1939. In 1963, he immigrated to America and enlisted in the United States Army. He served in the 1st Cavalry Division and led a platoon during America's first battle of the Vietnam Conflict, the Battle of Ia Drang.
His service didn't end in Vietnam. On September 11, 2001, Rescorla - now an Amer ican citizen and a resident of Morristown, NJ - was Vice President of Security for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
When American Airlines flight 11 struck the North Tower, Rick reacted according to the training he had and the plans he developed following the 1993 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Against the advice of officials, he ordered an immediate evacuation of all 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. employees from the building and led them to safety.
Rick Rescorla was last seen alive accompanying firemen up the stairwell on the tenth floor shortly before the South Tower collapsed. He was never seen again.
Due to Rick’s heroic actions, more than 2,700 lives were saved that day. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Rick Rescorla is an inspiration and credit to the state of New Jersey and to his fellow Americans.
In 2020, the New Jersey State Legislature passed a joint resolution to recognize May 27th of each year to be designated as "Richard Rescorla Day". He was posthumously awarded the Citizens Medal of Honor.
Rick was featured on the cover of Joe Galloway’s “We Were Soldiers Once… And Young”. Joe remembered Rick during his interview last year with our Museum Educator Keri Giannotti alongside our colleagues at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund last year.
Interview Conducted by Jim Knotts, VVMF; Keri A. Giannotti, NJVVMF; and Callie Wright, VVMF
Editing by Jillian Decker, NJVVMF Director of Development & External Affairs
Music from BenSound.com
I knew Rick years ago when we were both teaching at the Oklahoma National Guard Officer Candidate School in the early 1970s. He was in Viet Nam in 1965, I was there in 1967, both of us Infantry officers, so we had a lot in common already. When we met and worked together, it was post-Viet Nam. I was in undergrad school and he was in law school at Oklahoma University. We both stayed in the reserve components to keep our commissions and earn a few bucks while going to school. Rick was from Cornwall, England and had been a Bobbie (Metropolitan Police) in London in his younger years. He was also a border guard in Rhodesia during the Mau Mau uprising as I recall. After immigrating to the U.S., he wound up in the Army and served as an infantry lieutenant in the First Cavalry Division and was at the Ia Drang Valley, the first major battle between American and North Vietnamese combatants. He told me stories that weren't in the movie, "We were soldiers". He was an interesting guy and a good friend. I was sorry to hear about his demise on 9/11. His wife told me a lot about what happened that day and how the photo above was used to make a statue which is standing now in Cornwall, England and a portrait based on the photo hangs in the Army (or National) War College and at the Infantry School at Ft. Benning.
We should not weep and mourn the loss of brave men like these .
We should praise God that they lived .
General George Patton .
I have heard Ricks story. 20 years ago on 9/11 he could have just saved himself that day. He could have keep everyone their offices. But no he let everyone escape after Ignoring the port authority orders. 2700 lives have been saved thanks to him. If he wasn’t there that day the 9/11 death toll could have doubled. Morgan Stanley was so fortunate to have someone who knew what to do in case of an emergency. A lot of Americans thankfully are now aware of their surroundings because of what Rick did that day.
A lot of other bosses and supervisors of other companies in the tower that didn’t know what to do. The bosses or supervisors would either save themselves or they would keep their workers in their offices which would claim their lives on 9/11 or they would just be trapped with their co workers and employees that day.
He was heard telling people: this is a great day to be an American. A grand man. You only meet one like him in a lifetime.
Not a hero once, but twice! Great soldier, great leader, great man!
Damn! He died in the WTC on 9-11-2001! God rest your soul Colonel because we were soldiers!
God Bless Rick Rescorla born in Cornwall & loved 🇺🇸 America 🙏🏻 ❤️
Wow, I didn’t know, im from Cornwall
Rest in peace Sir. Thank you for your service.
There should be schools named and monuments built in the name of Rick. the youth of today could learn a thing or two from this great American. God knows they need it!!
Stop being so judgemental.
I am sure he saved countless lives that day!
There are....see my comments above.
@@oneanonymous214 yet no mention of how many he killed.
I'm a old man why on earth is this the first time I'm hearing this story ?
God bless you Sir !
I said the same thing. How isn’t this story broadcast all over the world
@@williamb.2167 This story was broadly shared days after 9-11 but quickly forgotten by many. This is the kind of history that needs to be taught in schools nationwide!
Beautifully told story of a wonderful man putting other people before himself. God bless.
One of my closest friend was in that building with MS and survived🙏 NO WORDS!!
Lovely rememberance by Mr. Galloway...you both will always be in our hearts..may God always fill your families with His peace.
R.I.P. valiant Warrior and True American Patriot.
When told he should evacuate he is said to have replied "Not until I know everyone is out." The embodiment of leave no man behind
...he was singing Men of Harlech (but as Men of Cornwall) when he died leading the employees under his care out of the WTC...
Thank you for sharing this man's story , needs to be heard !
What a thoughtful and brave and fine individual. And a gifted leader.
RIP….”Warrior”…….💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪🙏👏👏👏👏👏👏🦅🇺🇸😎
This is a great story and Rick is a hell of a remarkable man I would have loved to have known him
The proud young valor that flew above the mortal, was mortal after all. The Lieutenant I wished that I had been, but never was!
The Battle may be gone silent, but the spirit and lore of the Spirit in the man lives on and loud.
Rest Easy Warrior 🙏🏻🇺🇸
Tough guy, full on respect!
Thank you 🙏🏼
Rest In Peace.
True hero
One of my few military heroes.
I have no words to properly honor this savior. He’s more than a hero. He was heaven sent. Can’t believe I never heard his story before
What a man.
An amazing man! RIP.... 🙏
Thank-you.
Much Respect to a Man committed to Others
Got to love this hero
What stuff makes such a selfless man? A hero for sure..
I hope the President sees this. He should be honered with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I ? some who have been honored but he is extremely deserving, posthumously unfortunately.
Donald Trump awarded him the medal in 2019
Well ---- we all know where he is now. He definitely passed this human test with flying colors.
The best of the best. Rest in peace Rick.
RIP Joe Galloway...
He sang the same song on 9-11. Men of Harlech...except as Men of Cornwall...
Hero is not a strong enough word for this MAN!
Thank you!
True American hero. Super hero in my opinion. “Gary Owen”!
He was a part of some historic moments in american history. The man was a true warrior and we were lucky to have him on our side.
RESPECT.
Thank you for those 4:32 of information on a Man an his Actions for Other's .....
I didn't know of the History of this Action by This True American Hero....
Now I do, an I Thank you
I will tell others.
This is good stuff!
the iconic photo of the vietnam war
God bless his heart
the photo of rescorla says it all..Gibson ignored him.
*Rick Rescorla was the last example we had of an immigrant coming to America and dedicating his life to making sure America was not only the best country on earth, but leaving it better than it was when he arrived.* This country has become a dumping ground for entitled, third-word, co-dependent, professional-victims that refuse to even REMOTELY assimilate.
Hardly the last. Lots new citizens at West Point.
@@jackwmith8445 I'd love to believe that.... But, being a "new citizen", in-and-of itself, doesn't mean anything, anymore. Not only that, but like any other form of admittance into an institution, are those new citizen's being granted admission to West Point, at the expense of a 10th generation American, that came here properly?? I hope you're right, and things are changing, but from what I've seen it's getting exponentially worse.
Since we are a nation of immigrants, I would rather concentrate on the children not the people fresh off the boat. Asian immigrants are making outstanding contributions. I strongly believe there is still an American dream and that hard work is still rewarded. It's about giving your children an opportunity to have a better life.
@@jackwmith8445 Jesus...listen to you. How did you even wind up on a Vietnam War video? "....nation of immigrants", eh? We're also a *...nation of laws", care to shed a tear for that concept? And, as for all those children you want to focus on....look at what's happening in our schools today. Do you think what they're doing in schools right now is good for kids? Think what's happening in colleges/universities is good for young adults? And, as of this post, work-ethic makes absolutely NO difference in this country. 30yrs ago, your comment would've had an ounce of honor to it. What you "would rather focus on" is 100% moot right now because what people SHOULD be focusing on is destroying every aspect of what this country is..... An English speaking country of laws, based on Judeo Christian values. When we get back to those values, those children you're concerned about, will be just fine, and THEY won't grow up to be 2nd, or 3rd generation criminal, CHESP's: Co-dependent, Hypocritical, Entitled, Stupid, Professional-victims.
BALONEY! Period.
May God bless him
God rest his s soul. 🇺🇸
Wow
💕💕💕💕😇
Cool
Great man . Great American man .
Great American man Born and raised in England 😂
Semper Fi !
Great American hero! Thank You!
🤜💯💯💯💯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯😁👍
Port Authority statement ?? Who??? Was that idiot, overstepping his authority & knowledge ever brought to justice? No such thing as accountability justice though. I hope he at least got fired and made public his stupidity.