On September 11, 2001, America faced one of its darkest days. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, an event that shook not only New York City but the entire nation. In the midst of chaos and devastation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) mobilized with speed and determination, stepping into a role that would prove vital to the immediate response and long-term recovery.
A Lifeline on the Water
Moments after the collapse of the towers, USACE personnel already stationed along the Hudson River for a Coast Guard boat-safety class sprang into action. Boats from the New York and Philadelphia Districts—including motor vessels Hocking, Hayward, Hudson, and Hatton—were deployed. These vessels ferried more than 2,300 people off Manhattan, while simultaneously delivering emergency responders and supplies into the city.
“Without a second thought, everyone volunteered to help,” recalled Joe Meyers of the New York District. Crews transformed into lifelines, ensuring evacuees reached safety while bringing firefighters, police, and medical staff back into Lower Manhattan.
Three marinas at Caven Point, New Jersey, became staging areas for evacuees, where buses, trains, and medical care awaited. Each trip back across the river brought more reinforcements into the heart of the disaster.
Supporting the Firefighters
Beyond evacuation, USACE vessels provided essential logistical support. Motor Vessel Hayward delivered over 16,000 gallons of fuel and water to exhausted firefighters battling the blazes at Ground Zero, along with supplies like flashlights, batteries, food, protective gear, and shovels. “They were passing five-gallon cans by hand. There was no other way to access the site,” remembered Josh Daskalakis of the New York District.
Motor Vessel Hocking served as a command vessel, transporting North Atlantic Division Commander Brig. Gen. Stephen Rhoades to the site, where USACE coordinated closely with FEMA and New York City officials on transportation and recovery efforts.
The Recovery Mission
USACE’s role extended far beyond those first hours and days. For nearly a year, the Corps remained embedded in the recovery mission. The monumental task: clearing 1.6 million tons of debris from Ground Zero. Emergency dredging of the Hudson and East Rivers allowed barges to transport wreckage to Staten Island. There, under the Corps’ supervision, debris was painstakingly inspected as part of one of the largest forensic investigations in history.
Thomas Creamer, then Acting Chief of the Programs Directorate, reflected: “What’s most important was watching the Corps create the largest forensic crime scene investigation laboratory on Staten Island. Every piece of debris was checked twice, and identified belongings were returned to loved ones.”
A Legacy of Service
Twenty-four years later, the legacy of 9/11 remains etched into the identity of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps’ actions—ferrying evacuees, fueling first responders, and leading recovery operations—demonstrated not only technical capability but also unwavering humanity.
As we pause in 2025 to honor the victims of that tragic day and the bravery of first responders, we also recognize the spirit of unity and resilience that emerged in the face of unimaginable loss. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stood shoulder to shoulder with countless other agencies and citizens, proving that in America’s darkest hour, service and sacrifice lit the way forward.