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Remembering September 11, 2001

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Steel & Stone: Engineering the Response to 9/11

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Remembering September 11, 2001

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Visit the Museum

Remembering September 11, 2001
Back

Exhibits

Steel & Stone: Engineering the Response to 9/11
Back

Public Programs

Remembering September 11, 2001
Back

Programs & Education

Learning Opportunities
Back

Army Trails

Explore Our Army Trails
Back

Events

Remembering September 11, 2001
Back

News and Articles

View Our News & Articles
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About Us

Learn More
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Get Involved

Learn how

Steel and Stone

Exhibit Information
  • Clock45 minutes
  • agesMay not be approved for all ages
  • calendarRotating Exhibit Space
Locate this Exhibit

Opening August 28, 2026

On September 11, 2001, America faced one of its darkest days.
Discover how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played a vital role in the
nation's response and recovery following the terrorist attacks.

Artifact Highlights

Unique Artifact

-25 YEARS LATER: Explore the story of how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers responded after September 11, 2001, mobilizing with speed and purpose to support recovery efforts and help rebuild after tragedy.

Unique Artifact

-From emergency operations to long-term recovery, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played a vital role after September 11, 2001, coordinating resources, restoring critical services and supporting the nation’s rebuilding efforts.

Unique Artifact

-Powerful artifacts and personal stories bring to life the service, sacrifice and determination of those who responded in the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Unique Artifact

-Commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001 with free in-person and virtual public programs. More information is posted on the Museum’s events calendar.

Unique Artifact

-Explore more 9/11 artifacts and Soldier stories in the Changing World and Soldiers’ Stories galleries and at the Pentagon Stones on Warriors’ Plaza. Discover all that the Museum has to offer and plan your visit today.

“It was a living hell. When we first went in, there had been water sprayed on the building for so long, there was so much water in between the corridors, walkways had filled up with water.”

Sgt. Dewey Snavely, The U.S. Army Military District of Washington Engineer Company

Personal Profiles

Personal Profiles
Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers
Chief of Engineers

Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers was addressing leaders emeritus at USACE Headquarters when he was…

Personal Profiles
Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers
Chief of Engineers

Lt. Gen. Robert B. Flowers was addressing leaders emeritus at USACE Headquarters when he was passed a note with news of the World Trade Center attack. He quickly ended the meeting and went to the USACE Operations Center to contact the Army Operations Center. Flowers, Chief of Engineers and the public face of USACE, appeared on 60 Minutes in November 2001. He detailed how the Corps’ research in constructing blast resistant structures used in renovations of the Pentagon contributed to the building’s resilience.

Personal Profiles
Brig. Gen. Carl A. Strock
Director of Military Programs

On the night of the attack, Brig. Gen. Carl A. Strock entered the Pentagon to…

Personal Profiles
Brig. Gen. Carl A. Strock
Director of Military Programs

On the night of the attack, Brig. Gen. Carl A. Strock entered the Pentagon to conduct the initial structural assessment. Throughout the response, he maintained close communication with the Military District of Washington’s leadership to offer additional Corps’ support on the ground. Later, Strock arranged for the Corps to assess how the original and newly renovated sections of the Pentagon withstood the effects of the attack.

Personal Profiles
Col. John B. O’Dowd
District Commander,
New York District

Immediately following the attack, Col. John B. O’Dowd prioritized evacuating New York District offices near…

Personal Profiles
Col. John B. O’Dowd
District Commander,
New York District

Immediately following the attack, Col. John B. O’Dowd prioritized evacuating New York District offices near the World Trade Center. By the following day, all personnel were accounted for. Under O’Dowd’s leadership, the District successfully closed out normal business for the fiscal year without access to offices, equipment or files. At the same time, they supported recovery by establishing the debris sorting operation on Staten Island and dredging the waterways around Pier 25 and Pier 6 to facilitate debris removal.

Personal Profiles
Joseph Seebode
Harbor Program Manager,
New York District

Joseph Seebode was commuting on the PATH train to a 9:30 am meeting on the…

Personal Profiles
Joseph Seebode
Harbor Program Manager,
New York District

Joseph Seebode was commuting on the PATH train to a 9:30 am meeting on the at the World Trade Center. The first plane hit as he was about to exit the station. On September 14, 2001, Seebode was named as the official Corps liaison to the City of New York and was instrumental in dredging, barging and permitting operations.

Personal Profiles
David Leach
Mission Manager,
Staten Island Debris Recovery

In October 2001, David Leach was tasked with managing the debris sorting operation on Staten…

Personal Profiles
David Leach
Mission Manager,
Staten Island Debris Recovery

In October 2001, David Leach was tasked with managing the debris sorting operation on Staten Island. He oversaw debris inspection and sorting, managed contractor operations and coordinated with law enforcement for evidence recovery.