Stories and objects related to military service are integral to the history of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and their repercussions, which have extended to the present day. One of the four strategic targets of assault that Tuesday morning was the Pentagon, headquarters to the U.S. Department of Defense. Many who were injured and killed inside the complex worked for branches of the nation’s armed forces, with offices situated inside or near the impact site of hijacked Flight 77.
In response to the cataclysmic events of 9/11, President George W. Bush and his administration increased homeland security and began building a worldwide coalition to seek out the al Qaeda-aligned perpetrators and disable their network of enablers. On October 7, 2001, “Operation Enduring Freedom” was launched. This campaign deployed U.S. troops to Afghanistan and subsequently to Iraq, resulting in a multiyear-long conflict that became referenced as a global “War on Terror.”
For more than two decades, the 9/11 attacks have served as a touchstone for the several million men and women who enlisted in the United States Armed Forces or extended their tours of service. The cross-section of items featured in this gallery testify to the many motivations behind their decisions to join the military in response to the 9/11 attacks and to honor the 2,977 individuals who perished. This gallery also illustrates the intricate coordination and collaboration required to execute the mission of military operations, both overseas as well as at home, in the months and years that followed 9/11.
