Posted on 03/25/2009 10:51:14 AM PDT by mgiorgino
Last week, the Medal of Honor Society announced that Rick Rescorla will be one of three people awarded its highest civilian honor, the Above & Beyond Citizen Medal at a ceremony on Wednesday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Va. The award will be presented to Kim and Trevor Rescorla, Rick's children.
(Excerpt) Read more at sddt.com ...
Last week, the Medal of Honor Society announced that Rick Rescorla will be one of three people awarded its highest civilian honor, the Above & Beyond Citizen Medal at a ceremony on Wednesday at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Va. The award will be presented to Kim and Trevor Rescorla, Rick's children.
The Above & Beyond medal is presented each year by the less than 100 living Medal of Honor recipients. In their words, "Inside of us all, a hero lies. For some, it rises up and shows itself through an extraordinary act of courage and selflessness. On the battlefields of their everyday lives, these incredible individuals are moved to act. And so they go willingly, selflessly, courageously -- above and beyond."
The amazing story of Rick Rescorla is well documented in "Heart of a Soldier" by James B. Stewart (Simon & Schuster, 2002). On Sept. 11, Rick Rescorla was on duty as vice president for corporate security at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. on the 44th floor of Tower Two of the World Trade Center, when a jumbo jet plowed into Tower One.
The Port Authority directed Rick to keep his people at their desks. Rescorla replied, "Piss off. Everything above where that plane hit is going to collapse and it's going to take the whole building with it. I'm getting my people out of here!"
Born in England, Rick served in the British armed forces and then earned a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army. In Vietnam, he fought with the Seventh Cavalry (Airmobile) in the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang, described in Gen. Harold Moore's "We Were Soldiers Once ... And Young" and is the gritty soldier pictured on the book's cover. Rescorla's men nicknamed him "Hard Core" for his extraordinary courage and he was awarded a Bronze Star for valor.
In 1992, Rescorla warned the Port Authority about the possibility of a truck bomb attack in the unguarded basement of the World Trade Center. He was ignored. When Islamic terrorists used this method in the 1993 attack, Rescorla was instrumental in evacuating the building and was the last man out.
Rescorla then predicted the terrorists would return to finish the job with aircraft. He recommended that Morgan Stanley move to a safer location in New Jersey, but the company's lease in Manhattan did not end until 2006.
At Rescorla's insistence, all employees, including senior executives, began practicing full-blown, no-notice emergency evacuations every three months. There was much bitching and moaning by high-powered stock brokers about being yanked away from their telephones to hike down 40 or 50 stories. But it all paid off on 9/11.
At 9:02 a.m. on Sept. 11, a second airliner slammed into Tower Two. Against orders, Rescorla had already evacuated most of Morgan Stanley's 2,700 employees and hundreds of visitors. Rick reminded his co-workers to "be proud to be an American." He sang "God Bless America" and military songs over his bullhorn to keep up their courage as they headed down to safety.
A Morgan Stanley director told Rescorla he had to get out, too. "As soon as I make sure everyone else is out," Rescorla replied. In a last cell call to his wife Susan, he said, "Stop crying, I have to get these people out safely. If something should happen to me, I want you to know I've never been happier. You made my life." Rick Rescorla was last seen heading up to rescue people who were unable to get down. His remains have never been recovered.
How fitting that America's elite company of heroes, the bearers of the Congressional Medal of Honor, rather than its political leaders will honor Rick Rescorla's courage and patriotism "Above and Beyond" the call of duty.
* * * * *
Giorgino is a retired Navy Surface Warfare Commander and a Gulf War veteran. He now practices law in San Diego. He may be contacted at mgiorgino@aol.com.
ping to you , sir.
Great man and a real hero.
Ping.
NEVER FORGET our heroes.
A truly great man!
Go ARMY!!!
In the book he cheated death in that battle several times. I truly believe he was spared so he could be there at the Twin Towers. Glad to hear of the award, but I’m sure all that knew him already gave him their highest honor.
Politicians have ignored Rescorla’s heroism. So be it. They are not fit to shine Rescorla’s shoes. This medal,however, is meaningful. Rescorla will not be forgotten by his brothers-in-arms.
Amen
We need a few more like Mr. Rescorla
bump for later reading
‘Above & Beyond Citizen Honors’ Announces and Honors 2009 Recipients
Medal of Honor Foundation Logo. (PRNewsFoto/The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation)
WASHINGTON, DC UNITED STATES
One of the Highest Civilian Honors Given to Three Unsung Heroes by Medal of Honor Recipients
WASHINGTON, March 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation today announced and nationally honored the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors recipients for 2009. After a nationwide search and selection process, three Americans have been selected for their selflessness and indomitable courage.
The three unsung heroes are:
Rick Rescorla of New Jersey, posthumously, for going above and beyond on September 11, 2001 by courageously rescuing his fellow citizens by ordering the evacuation of all 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. employees from the building and leading them to safety, and following, by re-entering the building to search for survivors.
David Bryan of Kansas City, Missouri, for going above and beyond by valiantly rescuing a motorist from a burning automobile on Eastbound I-70, one mile from the city of Higginsville, Missouri.
Jeremy Hernandez of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a part-time youth worker, for going above and beyond by saving the lives of 50 children as the school bus they were on was about to plunge into the Mississippi River following the I-35W Bridge Collapse.
The 2009 Above & Beyond Citizen Honors recipients were recognized by our nation’s most honored heroes, the fewer than 100 living Medal of Honor recipients, in the shadow of the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. The Tomb of the Unknowns represents the epitome of courage, sacrifice and selflessness in service to our nation.
The Above & Beyond Citizen Honors ceremony was held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at 2 p.m. EDT. The primary sponsor of the 2008 Above & Beyond initiative is TriWest Healthcare Alliance, with additional support provided by the Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Lt. Gen. James B. Peake (Ret.), M.D., Former Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Robert Howard, the President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society; and, David J. McIntyre, Jr., Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation board member and TriWest Healthcare Alliance President and CEO made formal remarks. More than thirty-five Medal of Honor recipients were in attendance.
“I, along with all of the living Medal of Honor recipients, salute Rick Rescorla, David Bryan and Jeremy Hernandez for their selfless acts,” said Bruce Whitman, Co-Chairman of the Board of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. “As true heroes among us, these three remarkable recipients epitomize the Above & Beyond Citizen Honors concept of ‘service above self’ by representing the values of courage, sacrifice and selfless service. Their actions are an inspiration to Americans everywhere.”
After considering all nominations, a panel of judges consisting exclusively of Medal of Honor recipients, selected one finalist from every state, plus the District of Columbia. From among these 51 finalists, the panel then selected three individuals to receive one of the highest civilian honors, Above & Beyond Citizen Honors. A complete list of the 51 finalists is available on the Above & Beyond website, www.aboveandbeyond365.com.
“The Above and Beyond Citizens Honors recipients are evidence that the ideals demonstrated on the battlefield by those who received the nation’s highest distinction, the Medal of Honor, are as applicable to civilian life as they are to military life” said David J. McIntyre, Jr., Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation board member and TriWest Healthcare Alliance President and CEO.
“It just doesn’t get any better than this, our nation’s quintessential heroes lifting up civilians who have also demonstrated exemplary selflessness, courage, love of country and service to their fellow man. Just imagine where our country would be were we all to live by such values,” added McIntyre.
ABOUT THE MEDAL OF HONOR
Created by Abraham Lincoln in 1861, the Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force, which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the United States Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. To receive this rare honor, it must first be approved by the President of the United States and is then presented by the President in the name of the Congress on behalf of a grateful nation. Since the birth of our nation, over 40 million Americans have faced combat, yet fewer than 3,500 have received our nation’s highest honor for combat — the Medal of Honor.
ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY
The Congressional Medal of Honor Society is chartered by Congress, and regarded as the most exclusive organization in our country, as its membership is solely made up of living Medal of Honor recipients. Today there are less than 100 members, who come from all social classes, race and economic levels. They range in age from 58 to 99, and live in all areas of our Country. No amount of money, power or influence can buy one’s rite of passage to this exclusive circle, and unlike almost any other organization, this group’s members hope that there will be no more inductees. For more information, visit www.cmohs.org
ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR FOUNDATION
The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to perpetuate the Medal of Honor’s legacy of courage, sacrifice and patriotism. The Foundation supports the objectives, activities and programs of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and raises funds for initiatives such as Above & Beyond Citizen Honors, that promote awareness of what the Medal of Honor represents. For more information, visit www.cmohfoundation.org
ABOUT TRIWEST
TriWest Healthcare Alliance partners with the Department of Defense to do “Whatever It Takes” to support the healthcare needs of 2.7 million members of America’s military family. A Phoenix-based corporation, TriWest provides access to cost-effective, high-quality health care in the 21-state TRICARE West Region. Visit www.triwest.com for more information.
SOURCE The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation
I am so pleased to read about this award going to Rick Rescorla. He was a great and rare man. May God rest his soul and bless his family.
A fitting tribute to a true American hero.
Look up “fighting man” in the dictionary and you’ll see this guy’s picture. He led an amazing life. What they didn’t mention was that he was also, I believe, a cancer survivor, or some other similar life-threatening medical issue.
Men of Cornwall...
}:-)4
A great American indeed! He is sorely missed!
Men of Cornwall stop your dreaming;
Can’t you see their spearpoints gleaming?
See their warriors’ pennants streaming
To this battlefield.
Men of Cornwall stand ye steady;
It cannot be ever said ye
for the battle were not ready;
Stand and never yield!
}:-)4
My deepest respects to this hero. Britain should be as proud as we are.
Sounds a lot to me like the Zulu Movie version of "Men of Harlech" ...
Men of Harlech stop your dreaming
Can't you see their spear points gleaming
See their warrior pennants streaming
To this battlefield
Men of Harlech stand ye steady
It cannot be ever said ye
For the battle were not ready
Welshmen never yield
From the hills rebounding
Let these war cries sounding
Summon all at Cambria's call
The mighty force surrounding
Men of Harlech on to glory
This will ever be your story
Keep these burning words before ye
Welshmen will not yield
I think that there has been a lot of cross-pollination on the Ol'Isle of England.
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