Two Moments in the Life of Rick Rescorla
Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
Two moments in one person's life can reveal a lot about a person's character. Examine the following documents about two important moments in the life of Cyril Richard "Rick" Rescorla. Answer the questions below for each document.Name:
Class:
Class:
Worksheet
Two Moments in the Life of Rick Rescorla
Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast
Examine the documents included in this activity and write your response in the space provided.
- Who wrote it?
- Who read/received it?
- When is it from?
- Where is it from?
- What is it talking about?
- Write one sentence summarizing this document.
- How are the actions of Rick Rescorla in Vietnam similar to his actions on 9/11? Explain.
Your Response
1
Activity Element
Richard Rescorla`s Award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism
2
Activity Element
Memorandum for the Record (MFR) of the Interview of Peter F. Huezy, Eileen Hillock, and Bret Galloway of Morgan Stanley briefing Conducted by Team 8
Conclusion
Two Moments in the Life of Rick Rescorla
Focusing on Details: Compare and Contrast
As vice president for corporate security for the financial firm Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., Rick Rescorla was in charge of safety for approximately 2,700 employees in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Following the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, Rescorla began to develop an emergency evacuation plan and had staff regularly practice evacuating the building.
On 9/11, his planning and actions that day helped save nearly all 2,700 employees. Rescorla was last seen heading up the stairs of the South Tower to make sure that everyone had made it out.
Based on the documents, how does Rick Rescorla epitomize the ideals of service and sacrifice?
Based on the documents, how does Rick Rescorla epitomize the ideals of service and sacrifice?
Your Response
Document
Richard Rescorla's Award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism
12/31/1965
Rick Rescorla was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism because of his service in Vietnam while in the U.S. Army. This document descibes Rescorla's act of heroism on October 3, 1965.
Later in life, Rescorla worked at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. in the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. On 9/11/2001, his leadership, and the safety plans he had developed, helped save nearly all 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter employees. Rescorla was last seen heading up the stairs of the South Tower to make sure that everyone made it out. He was one of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day.
Later in life, Rescorla worked at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. in the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. On 9/11/2001, his leadership, and the safety plans he had developed, helped save nearly all 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter employees. Rescorla was last seen heading up the stairs of the South Tower to make sure that everyone made it out. He was one of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day.
This primary source comes from the Records of the Army Staff.
Full Citation: Richard Rescorla's Award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism; 12/31/1965; Official Military Personnel File for Richard C. Rescorla; Official Military Personnel Files, 1912 - 1998; Records of the Army Staff, ; National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/rescorla-bronze-star, April 24, 2024]Richard Rescorla's Award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism
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Document
Memorandum for the Record (MFR) of the Interview of Peter F. Huezy, Eileen Hillock, and Bret Galloway of Morgan Stanley briefing Conducted by Team 8
10/23/2003
This document is the "memorandum for the record" memorializing one of the hundreds of interviews conducted by the 9/11 Commission after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on September 11th, 2001.
This interview was with staff from Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., which was in the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Included is a description of the actions of Rick Rescorla, who was in charge of safety for approximately the 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter employees in the South Tower.
On 9/11, Rescorla's leadership, and the safety plans he had developed, helped save thousands of lives. Rescorla was last seen heading up the stairs of the South Tower to make sure that everyone made it out. He was one of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day.
This interview was with staff from Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., which was in the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. Included is a description of the actions of Rick Rescorla, who was in charge of safety for approximately the 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter employees in the South Tower.
On 9/11, Rescorla's leadership, and the safety plans he had developed, helped save thousands of lives. Rescorla was last seen heading up the stairs of the South Tower to make sure that everyone made it out. He was one of the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day.
This primary source comes from the Records of Commissions of the Legislative Branch.
National Archives Identifier: 2610335
Full Citation: Memorandum for the Record (MFR) of the Interview of Peter F. Huezy, Eileen Hillock, and Bret Galloway of Morgan Stanley briefing Conducted by Team 8; 10/23/2003; Memorandums for the Record, 2003 - 2004; Records of Commissions of the Legislative Branch, ; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/interview-morgan-stanley-911, April 24, 2024]Memorandum for the Record (MFR) of the Interview of Peter F. Huezy, Eileen Hillock, and Bret Galloway of Morgan Stanley briefing Conducted by Team 8
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Memorandum for the Record (MFR) of the Interview of Peter F. Huezy, Eileen Hillock, and Bret Galloway of Morgan Stanley briefing Conducted by Team 8
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Memorandum for the Record (MFR) of the Interview of Peter F. Huezy, Eileen Hillock, and Bret Galloway of Morgan Stanley briefing Conducted by Team 8
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Memorandum for the Record (MFR) of the Interview of Peter F. Huezy, Eileen Hillock, and Bret Galloway of Morgan Stanley briefing Conducted by Team 8
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