The New York Guard (State Defense Force) was put on state active duty as the attacks of September 11 were occurring. One of their own troops was also a member of the New York Police Department who courageously went into the towers to save lives, but was never seen again.  His story is one of heroism, courage and duty.

On this 20th Anniversary of the events of September 11th, 2001, the New York Guard remembers one of our service members who lost their lives at the World Trade Center.

1LT John William Perry, S1 of the 88th Brigade, and a member of the NYPD, rushed to the Twin Towers to help his fellow New Yorkers.

We will never forget.

9/11 In Memoriam: 1LT John Perry, 88th Brigade, New York Guard

Story by SGT Zach Perkins, New York Guard State Defense Force.

Today we remember not only the total sum of the victims and heroes of September 11th, 2001, but one of our own New York Guard soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice on that day.

That soldier was 1LT John William Perry, S1, 88th Brigade, New York Guard. He was awarded the New York State Defense of Liberty Medal with WTC Device by the Division of Military and Naval Affairs, and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major by the New York Guard.

John Perry joined the New York Guard in 1998, while also serving in the NYPD. On that morning, he was at 1 Police Plaza. He was there to file his retirement paperwork and turn in his badge, so that he could pursue the next phase of his career as a lawyer and community advocate. When the first plane hit, his retirement was immediately postponed. According to reports, he was seen by eyewitnesses buying an NYPD t-shirt from a street vendor. He needed the shirt because he had just given up his badge, but that wouldn’t stop him from doing his job on the day he was needed most. Later, he was seen racing into the towers. He was never seen alive again.

John Perry was raised on Long Island in a multiethnic family. He spoke as many as five languages fluently, was an active leader in the NY chapter of the ACLU, fought corruption within the NYPD, spoke out against the war on drugs and was an advocate for disadvantaged communities. In his spare time, he collected and delivered bullet proof vests for under-funded police officers in foreign countries, and was a graduate of NYU Law School. Today, the John Perry Fund exists as a scholarship to provide college tuition assistance to young adults who are otherwise denied Federal financial aid for past drug convictions.

John Perry was a true American who embodied the humanitarian spirit, personal courage, and diversity that are the best qualities of our nation. Every New York Guard soldier who takes the oath should know his name and keep the memory of his selfless service alive.

The New York Guard is the State’s Defense Force, an all-volunteer component of the New York State Military Forces, whose soldiers augment and assist the New York National Guard in response to state emergencies. 

Source: New York Guard