Rick Rescorla of NJ, who sacrificed his life 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 then re-entering the building to search for survivors.

On September 11, 2001, Rick was working as Vice President of Security at 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.   After the evacuation, United Flight 175 hit the South Tower; he then re-entered the building to search for survivors.  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.