Donald Sadowy oral history interview conducted by Ashlee McGlone, October 24, 2014, November 7, 2014

About

On 9/11 Donald was retired from the NYPD bomb squad and worked as a security supervisor for Merrill Lynch. Donald worked on the first WTC bombing in 1993. He led the FBI to the person responsible for bringing the bomb into the building in the van. Donald joined with Port Authority officers, NYPD, engineers, elevator mechanics, and the FDNY to respond to the WTC disaster. Donald helped evacuate the buildings. His nostrils and lungs were burning from the fumes, and he was having trouble breathing. Donald watched Father Mychal Judge say the rosary as the "jumpers" landed to their death. He saw some of the FDNY crew for the last time as they ran up to try to save those who were perishing on the top floors. When he heard the "metal screaming" of the building frame and beams twisting, he knew the area was not safe. As he made his way to the West Side Highway, a wave of debris and dust started coming toward him, roaring like a freight train. The massive cloud swallowed everything in its path and he dived under a fire truck. He thought he was blind because everything was black. Donald's ribs and hip were injured. Then the second building collapsed. Donald became unconscious. A fellow worker helped him get shelter. Donald sought medical treatment, but returned to work even though he was injured. He got around in a golf cart and used a cane. For several months, Donald worked six days a week, twelve hours a day. He just felt that he had to be there. He's had six surgeries, some…

Archive

Library of Congress, in Library of Congress

Licence or status

Rights statement at the Library of Congress, as the Library of Congress states it.

Rights statement

The rights in this collection held by Benjamin Luft are governed by copyright for the full duration under U.S. copyright law. While the collection is still under copyright, patrons may make only verbatim use of the work. The creation of derivative works is not permitted. Third party rights may be governed by copyright or other restrictions. The Library of Congress is providing access to these materials strictly for educational and research purposes. The written permission of the copyright owner and/or other holders of rights (such as publicity and/or privacy rights) is required for distribution, reproduction, or other use of protected items beyond that allowed by fair use or other statutory exemptions. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item and securing any necessary permissions ultimately rests with persons desiring to use the item. See our Legal Notices…

Credit

Library of Congress

Language

English

Country

United States

Who can watch

The archive gives no rating. Invisible Network shows it to Teens profiles and older, judged from its collection and subjects. How films are placed