Today, September 11, 2026, marks 25 years since the deadliest attack on United States lan by foreign terrorists. 19 terrorists associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes in a coordinated attack against the
U. S.
2,977 people were killed as a result of the attacks. Hundreds of Black Americans, including first responders, civilians, and flight crew members, were among the nearly 3,000 victims who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Out of the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) who lost their lives that day, 12 were Black firefighters belonging to the Vulcan Society.
When we think about the heroes of 9/11, many images come to mind—firefighters rushing into danger, the haunting sight of the collapsing Twin Towers, and the faces of those lost. However, not all the heroes have been equally recognized. The Black firefighters who died in the line of duty on September 11, 2001, have often been overlooked in memorials, media, and historical accounts. These forgotten heroes made the ultimate sacrifice alongside their brothers and sisters, yet their stories are rarely told:
Out of the 343 firefighters that sacrificed their lives as first responders to the attack, 12 members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY)’s Black Vulcan Society were lost during rescue and recovery efforts. Their names were firefighters Gerard Baptiste, Vernon Cherry, Tarel Coleman, Andre Fletcher, Keith Glascoe, Ronnie Henderson, William Henry, Karl Joseph, Keithroy Maynard, Vernon Richard, Shawn Powell and Leon Smith Jr.
Wesley Williams, the founder of the Vulcan Society and the first Black battalion chief, established the society with more than 50 Black firefighters in 1940 because of issues of discrimination in the FDNY, as previously reported by the Amsterdam News.
The Vulcan Society…Established 1940, by Chief Wesley Williams, the Vulcan Society is the organization of Black Firefighters, EMS, Fire Inspectors, Fire Marshals & Civilians of the Fire Department of New York or the FDNY.