Honoring Walter McNeil, A Fallen Responder Who Served

A small American flag has been placed at the name of police officer Walter McNeil. The bronze parapet inscribed with McNeil’s name is covered in drops of rainwater.
A flag was placed in Walter McNeil's name at the 9/11 Memorial. Photo by Jin Lee.

Today the 9/11 Memorial and Museum honored fallen first responders who served by placing an American flag in their names on the Memorial. The gesture is a part of an annual five-day Salute to Service. A flag was placed in the name of Walter McNeil, a Port Authority Police Department officer who dedicated his life to serving his country.

Soon after graduating from high school, McNeil joined the U.S. Army and fought in Vietnam. He returned home in 1976 and left the army as a decorated veteran. When the Gulf War broke out, he would again go overseas to fight in Operation Desert Storm with the National Guard.

McNeil served in the PAPD for 31 years as a hazardous weapons expert. He was based at the Holland Tunnel and continued his military service as a sergeant in the 369th Transport Unit of the Army National Guard until he was honorably discharged in 1991.

On the morning of 9/11, McNeil did what he had done almost his entire life–he put on his uniform and placed himself in a dangerous situation to save the lives of others. It would be the last day of his service.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

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