Rick Rescorla Biography

(British American Private Security Specialist Who Saved Thousands of Lives During 9/11)

Birthday: May 27, 1939 (Gemini)

Born In: Hayle, Cornwall, United Kingdom

Rick Rescorla, born as Cyril Richard Rescorla, was a United States Army officer as well as private security officer of British origin. He served in the Vietnam War as a commissioned officer of the United States Army. He also served in Northern Rhodesia where he was a member of Northern Rhodesia Police (NRP). After his military career, he became the director of security for financial services agency Morgan Stanley at the World Trade Center. In this position, Rick Rescorla anticipated attacks on the tower and implemented evacuation procedures which would ultimately save many lives during the 9/11 attacks. Unfortunately, he lost his life while leading the evacuees from the South Tower of Trade Center during the horrific attacks. The legendary hero was later paid a number of tributes for his bravery, spirit, and astonishing foresight. Besides been an army man and a security expert, Rescorla was a writer and lawyer as well. A graduate of the Oklahoma City University School of Law, he taught criminal justice at the University of South Carolina for a period of time and even published a textbook on the subject. On a personal note, Rescorla was a romantic man who loved his second wife very dearly. He wrote love poetry for her and praised her often. He was a faithful husband and a devoted father.
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Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In May

Also Known As: Cyril Richard Rescorla

Died At Age: 62

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Betsy Nathan (m. 1972–1997), Susan Rescorla (m. 1999–2001)

mother: Ciss Rescorla

Military Leaders British Men

Died on: September 11, 2001

place of death: Manhattan

More Facts

education: University of Oklahoma

awards: Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart
Silver Star

  • 1

    Where did Rick Rescorla work during the 9/11 attacks?

    Rick Rescorla worked as the head of security for Morgan Stanley at the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks.

  • 2

    How did Rick Rescorla's military experience influence his actions on 9/11?

    Rick Rescorla's military experience, including serving in the Vietnam War, influenced his calm and strategic response during the 9/11 attacks, saving many lives.

  • 3

    What measures did Rick Rescorla implement at Morgan Stanley before 9/11?

    Before 9/11, Rick Rescorla implemented regular evacuation drills and security protocols at Morgan Stanley, which proved crucial during the attacks.

  • 4

    Did Rick Rescorla predict the 9/11 attacks?

    Rick Rescorla had warned about the potential threat of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center years before 9/11, showing his foresight and dedication to security.

  • 5

    How many people did Rick Rescorla save on 9/11?

    Rick Rescorla's leadership and preparedness on 9/11 saved an estimated 2,700 people from Morgan Stanley's offices in the South Tower before sacrificing his own life in the rescue efforts.

Childhood & Early Life
Rick Rescorla was born on May 27, 1939, in Hayle, Cornwall, United Kingdom. He was raised by his single mother and grandparents.
He got interested in army service in 1943 when his hometown served as the headquarters for the Infantry Regiment of the U.S. 29th Infantry Division. Young Rescorla idolized the American soldiers and dreamt of becoming a soldier just like them.
In school, he was a sportsman and set a record in shot put. He was an avid boxer as well.
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Career
In 1956, Rick Rescorla left Hayle at age 17 to join the British military. The following year he was enlisted in the army and later on served with an intelligence unit in Cyprus from 1957 to 1960. From 1960 to 1963, he served in the Northern Rhodesia Police (NRP) as a paramilitary police inspector.
He then returned to London and joined the Metropolitan Police Service. After training at the Fort Dix, Rescorla attended the Officer Candidate School and received airborne training at Fort Benning.
Following graduation, he became a platoon leader in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, 7th Cavalry Regiment. He then moved to Vietnam and served under Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore. The duo participated in the Battle of Ia Drang that took place in the year 1965.
The following year, Rescorla left active duty and reached the rank of Colonel before retiring from the military in 1990.
He then returned to America and used his military benefits to study at the University of Oklahoma from where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree as well as a Master of Arts degree in English. He also obtained a law degree from the Oklahoma City University School of Law.
The retired military officer then moved to South Carolina, and began teaching criminal justice at the University of South Carolina. He taught there for a period of three years.
He then looked for higher-paying jobs in corporate security and eventually joined the offices of Dean Witter Reynolds at the World Trade Center in 1985. Dean Witter merged with Morgan Stanley in 1997, following which the company occupied 22 floors in the South Tower. Rescorla's office was on the 44th floor of the South Tower.
The Attacks on September 11, 2001
On September 11, 2001, at 8.46 am, American Airlines flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Rescorla witnessed the tower burning from his office window in the South Tower of the Trade Center. When an announcement came over urging people to remain at their desks, he ignored the announcement, grabbed his walkie-talkie, cell phone, and bullhorn, and started ordering the employees to evacuate.
He continued to calm them after the building lurched following the crash of a passenger plane in Tower 2 (the South Tower). Rescorla boosted the morale of his men by singing Cornish songs. He even called his wife and told her not to cry. Then after successfully evacuating most of Morgan Stanley's employees, he returned to the building despite fears that the towers would fall. Caring the least for his own life, Rescorla headed upward, shortly before the Tower 2 collapsed at 9:59 am. He was declared dead three weeks after the attacks. His remains were never found.
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Honors & Tributes
While serving in the British military, Rick Rescorla was honored with the General Service Medal.
While serving in the U.S. military, he was honored with a Purple Heart, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
In April 2001, he was chosen to be inducted into the Infantry Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame.
In 2003, Rescorla was honored with White Cross of Cornwall by Revived Cornish Stannary Parliament.
In 2008, a statue of him was unveiled at Fort Benning, Georgia. The same year, Rescorla became an inductee of Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.
Personal Life & Legacy
Rick Rescorla met his first wife, Betsy Nathan, at the University of Oklahoma. He got married to Nathan in 1972 and had two kids. This marriage eventually ended in divorce.
In 1994, the military officer was diagnosed with prostate cancer and he underwent a surgery to remove his prostate. By 1998 the cancer had spread to the bone marrow. Rescorla underwent treatment, and even used traditional Chinese medicine and meditation.
He met his second wife, Susan Greer, a twice-divorced mother of three daughters and an assistant to the dean at Fairleigh Dickinson University, in July 1998. The following year, he married Greer in St. Augustine, Florida.
Rescorla was survived by his wife Susan as well as his two children and three stepdaughters.
Facts About Rick Rescorla

Rick Rescorla, a Vietnam War veteran, was known for his brave and fearless leadership during the 9/11 attacks, helping to evacuate thousands of people from the World Trade Center towers before they collapsed.

Rescorla was a gifted musician and often sang to boost the morale of his fellow soldiers during the Vietnam War, earning him the nickname "The Singing Colonel."

Despite his tough exterior, Rescorla had a soft spot for animals and was known to rescue stray cats and dogs, caring for them in his spare time.

Rescorla had a keen interest in history and loved to share his knowledge with others, often engaging in lively debates and discussions with friends and colleagues.

See the events in life of Rick Rescorla in Chronological Order

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