Rick Rescorla

Richard Cyril Rescorla
Richard Cyril Rescorla
Born	27 May 1939 (age 87); Hayle, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Died	11 September 2001 (aged 62)
Occupation(s)	Military veteran, law enforcement officer, educator, corporate security expert
Known for	Head of security for Morgan Stanley at the World Trade Center; coordinated evacuation during September 11 attacks

Richard Cyril Rescorla (May 27, 1939 – September 11, 2001) was a British-American military veteran, law enforcement officer, educator, and expert in corporate security. His service included time as a British Army paratrooper during the Cyprus Emergency and later as a commissioned officer in the United States Army throughout the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of colonel before moving into the private sector.

While serving as the head of security for the financial services company Morgan Stanley at the World Trade Center, Rescorla foresaw potential terrorist threats and developed evacuation strategies credited with saving thousands of lives. During the September 11 attacks, he lost his life after coordinating the evacuation of Morgan Stanley’s South Tower offices and returning to assist others.

Early life

Born on May 27, 1939, in Hayle, Cornwall, Rescorla was raised by his grandparents alongside his mother, who worked as a housekeeper and companion for elderly individuals. During World War II, Hayle served as the base for the U.S. 175th Infantry Regiment preparing for the D-Day invasion. Inspired by these American soldiers, Rescorla aspired to join their ranks.

An accomplished athlete, he set a school record in shot put and was an enthusiastic boxer. When British heavyweight boxer faced off against U.S. contender Tami Mauriello, Rescorla supported Mauriello, earning him the nickname "Tammy" following his preferred fighter’s victory.

British military

At age 16 in 1956, Rescorla left Hayle to enlist in the army. Although National Service required two years of conscription, he volunteered for three years to secure improved conditions. Starting his service in 1957, he trained as a paratrooper with the Parachute Regiment and operated within an intelligence unit during the EOKA insurgency in Cyprus from 1957 until 1960.

For his efforts, he received the General Service Medal with Cyprus clasp.

General Service Medal with Cyprus clasp

Northern Rhodesia and Metropolitan Police Services

Following his Short-Service Commission, Rescorla worked as a police inspector with the Northern Rhodesia Police (currently known as the Zambia Police Service) between 1960 and 1963. These experiences reinforced his staunch anti-Communist views. During this period, he developed a significant friendship with American soldier Daniel J. Hill, who encouraged him to enlist in the U.S. Army after Rescorla chose discharge rather than suppress white colonists opposing independence.

Upon returning to London, Rescorla joined the Metropolitan Police, but soon emigrated to the United States motivated by a desire for active combat roles rather than police duties.

U.S. military

After arriving in the U.S., Rescorla initially stayed at a YMCA hostel in Brooklyn before enlisting in the United States Army in 1963. He completed basic training at Fort Dix, followed by Officer Candidate School and airborne training at Fort Benning. He was assigned as a platoon leader within the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).

During his Vietnam service under Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, Rescorla took part in the 1965 Battle of Ia Drang, which Moore chronicled in his 1992 book We Were Soldiers Once… And Young. Featured on its cover, Rescorla earned high praise from Moore as "the best platoon leader I ever saw." Nicknamed "Hard Core" due to his courage and leadership qualities, he was also known for his wit and empathy toward his soldiers. He humorously referred to his unit as "Hard Corps."

In Larry Gwin's Baptism, Rescorla is dubbed the "Cornish Hawk." Despite his tough demeanor, music played an essential role in his leadership style; he sang to soothe troops during combat and later during evacuations on September 11. At Ia Drang, he lifted morale by singing an Australian version of "Wild Colonial Boy."

His decorations from Vietnam include the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Rescorla concluded active duty in 1967 and retired from the United States Army Reserve holding the rank of colonel in 1990. In April 2001, he was inducted into the Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame during ceremonies held at Fort Benning.

Education and teaching

Following his service in Vietnam, Rescorla utilized his military benefits to pursue studies in creative writing at the University of Oklahoma. He earned a Bachelor of Arts, followed by a Master of Arts in English, and subsequently obtained a Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law. He then spent three years teaching criminal justice at the University of South Carolina and authored a textbook on the topic.

Corporate security

Rescorla shifted from academia to more lucrative positions in corporate security, beginning with Dean Witter Reynolds in 1985 at their offices within the World Trade Center. After the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, he became increasingly alert to potential terrorist threats targeting the World Trade Center. In 1990, he engaged counterterrorism specialist Daniel Hill to evaluate the building’s security measures. Hill pinpointed weaknesses in the basement parking area, warning that terrorists might exploit these vulnerabilities using truck bombs. Despite submitting an expensive security assessment to the Port Authority, their recommendations were disregarded. This oversight preceded the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which occurred near the predicted location.

In the aftermath of that attack, Rescorla brought Hill on board as a security consultant to further investigate structural weaknesses. Employing undercover operations within New Jersey mosques, Hill traced the assault back to followers of radical cleric Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, who were subsequently convicted. Rescorla’s reputation within Morgan Stanley strengthened, leading to initiatives aimed at enhancing the company’s safety culture. He advised relocating Morgan Stanley away from the World Trade Center due to persistent threats and more affordable labor options elsewhere; however, existing lease agreements prevented this move. Instead, he established quarterly emergency evacuation drills for all employees.

When Dean Witter merged with Morgan Stanley in 1997, Rescorla’s office was situated on the 44th floor of the South Tower. Distrusting official emergency protocols due to ignored warnings, he took it upon himself to empower staff through rigorous fire drills designed to ensure swift evacuations despite some resistance from company executives.

In a 1998 interview featured in Voice of the Prophet, Rescorla cautioned that U.S. military interventions abroad could trigger retaliatory terrorist acts. He stressed that highly motivated individuals could outmaneuver conventional forces by carefully selecting timing and tactics.

Rescorla and Hill also criticized law enforcement’s handling of the 1999 Columbine shooting, condemning police hesitation and expressing confidence that earlier intervention was possible if responders had been younger.

September 11, 2001

At 8:46 A.M. on September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower (WTC 1). From his office on the South Tower’s 44th floor (WTC 2), Rick Rescorla heard the blast and witnessed smoke and flames. Despite announcements from the Port Authority instructing employees to remain at their desks, Rescorla disregarded these orders and immediately began evacuating roughly 2,700 Morgan Stanley workers in the South Tower along with about 1,000 people in WTC 5. Using a bullhorn and walkie-talkie, he calmly directed occupants down stairwells while avoiding elevators and choke points.

To maintain morale during evacuation, Rescorla sang traditional Cornish songs from his childhood, drawing on leadership techniques he had used during Vietnam. Between singing intervals, he managed to call his wife to reassure her before communication was lost. After successfully guiding nearly all Morgan Stanley personnel out safely, he returned into the building to assist others. When urged to evacuate himself, he replied, "As soon as I make sure everyone else is out." He was last observed ascending near the 10th floor shortly before the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 A.M., fifty-six minutes after being struck by United Airlines Flight 175.

Thirteen Morgan Stanley employees perished during the attacks, including Rescorla; his deputies Wesley Mercer and Jorge Velazquez; and security guard Godwin Forde who remained behind aiding others. Rescorla was officially declared deceased three weeks later. Despite ongoing efforts to identify victims’ remains as recently as 2021, none have been confirmed as belonging to him.

Personal life

Rescorla met his first spouse, Betsy Nathan, while both were students at the University of Oklahoma; they wed in Dallas in 1972. Their two children were born in South Carolina (1976) and Chicago (1978), prior to relocating to New Jersey. The couple eventually divorced after their children became adults.

In 1994, Rescorla was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Although initial surgery showed positive results, by 1998 the illness had metastasized to his bone marrow. His treatment regimen involved painful monthly injections and medications with harsh side effects, alongside complementary therapies such as traditional Chinese medicine and meditation.

He encountered his second wife, Susan Greer, in July 1998 near her residence in Morristown, New Jersey. Susan worked as an assistant to a dean at Fairleigh Dickinson University and was a mother of three. They began cohabiting in October and married in February 1999 in St. Augustine, Florida—a location chosen for its coastal connection to Rescorla’s Cornish heritage. Their honeymoon took place in Hayle, Cornwall in 2000. Despite his ongoing health challenges, Rescorla maintained an optimistic attitude.

Rescorla immersed himself in the culture of Newark’s Portuguese community and was actively learning both Portuguese and Arabic languages. He also expressed a fascination with Native American spiritual practices and enjoyed activities such as yoga, ballroom dancing, and studying Italian alongside Susan.

He was survived by Susan, his two biological children, and three stepdaughters. Rescorla had requested cremation with his ashes scattered in Hayle. Additionally, he wished for the establishment of a financial endowment dedicated to supporting eagles, symbolizing both American freedom and Native American mysticism.

Memorials and tributes

Rescorla was humble about being regarded as a war hero and generally avoided media attention that portrayed him as such. Nevertheless, his courageous actions during the September 11 attacks attracted widespread national recognition, with extensive coverage emphasizing his leadership and sacrifice.

Significant tributes include:

A private memorial held on October 27 where his wife Susan performed a cherished Cornish folk song while a rehabilitated hawk was released.
The Morristown police honored him during a charity dinner; Susan donated Rescorla's Lincoln Mark VIII for fundraising purposes.
Memorial ceremonies conducted in Hayle, Cornwall attended by Morgan Stanley’s London head, along with a tribute at Westminster Abbey featuring Queen Elizabeth II.
The Revived Cornish Stannary Parliament awarded him the White Cross of Cornwall/An Grows Wyn a Gernow in 2003.
The opera Rescorla Variations, composed by Cornish musician William Lewarne Harris, premiered in 2006.
A statue dedicated to him was unveiled at the National Infantry Museum in Fort Moore, Georgia in 2009.
He was inducted into the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame during 2009.
In 2015, the conference room of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment was named in his honor.
His name is memorialized on Panel S-46 of the South Pool at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
The Department of Homeland Security created the Rick Rescorla National Award for Resilience to recognize exemplary leadership during catastrophic events.
In 2019, a British Rail Class 802 train was christened "Rick Rescorla" at Long Rock depot in Cornwall.
President Donald Trump posthumously bestowed upon him the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2019; this honor was presented to his widow at the White House.
New Jersey officially designated May 27 as “Richard Rescorla Day” following unanimous approval by the state Senate in 2021.
Commemorative plaques honoring Rescorla are located at San Diego’s Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial and The Raptor Trust near his former residence in New Jersey—the latter being his sole requested memorial.

These commemorations underscore Rescorla’s lasting impact on both military service and corporate crisis management leadership.

Post-9/11 Media Portrayals

Rescorla’s life was chronicled in the 2002 biography Heart of a Soldier authored by James B. Stewart.
The 2005 documentary titled The Man Who Predicted 9/11 was broadcast on the UK’s Channel 4 and the US History Channel.
In her 2008 publication, The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes—and Why, Amanda Ripley includes an account of Rescorla.
Stewart’s biographical work served as the foundation for an opera composed by Christopher Theofanidis, which debuted at the San Francisco Opera in September 2011, featuring Thomas Hampson portraying Rescorla.

External links

Richard Rescorla Memorial Foundation
Voice of the Prophet – Interview video from 1998 with Rick Rescorla
"The Real Heroes are Dead" – The New Yorker
"B.A. of the Week Tribute"
American Legion memorial pages:
- Post 44
- Post 149