On the morning of September 11, 2001, the United States was struck by an unprecedented act of terrorism that changed the course of history. While much of the nation’s attention was focused on the destruction of the World Trade Center towers in New York, another target, the Pentagon, also came under attack. It was here that countless military personnel and civilians witnessed the horror of that day firsthand. One such individual, an Arkansas veteran who served at the Pentagon, recently shared his reflections on that fateful morning, offering a deeply personal perspective on the attack and its aftermath.
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel John Davis, a decorated veteran from Arkansas, was working in the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and crashed into the west side of the building at 9:37 a.m. Davis, who had served his country for more than two decades by that point, was on duty inside one of the world’s most secure and important military installations, never imagining that the very heart of America’s defense would come under attack.
“I was in my office, just down the hall from the impact site,” Davis recalls. “We’d been hearing the news about the attacks in New York, and everything felt surreal. But we never thought the Pentagon could be next. The moment we felt the explosion, it was like the air was sucked out of the room.”
As the plane crashed into the building, a large fireball erupted, sending flames, smoke, and debris throughout the structure. Within moments, panic ensued. Davis and his colleagues scrambled to evacuate, but as they made their way out, the gravity of the situation set in.
“We knew we had to act quickly,” Davis said. “This wasn’t just an ordinary evacuation—this was an attack on our home, on our country. We needed to get everyone out safely, but we also knew we had a job to do. We had to secure the building, take stock of who was still inside, and make sure we were ready for whatever came next.”
As Davis and others made their way out of the Pentagon, they quickly realized that the attack had left many trapped inside. The fire spread quickly, and the destruction was unlike anything they had ever seen. But amid the chaos and fear, Davis recalls witnessing acts of incredible bravery and heroism.
“There were so many people running back into the building, trying to help those who were still inside,” he said. “It didn’t matter if you were military or civilian—everyone was working together. I saw people carry their injured colleagues out on their shoulders, others were breaking windows to get to those trapped inside. It was pure chaos, but also incredible humanity.”
Despite the danger, Davis himself joined in the efforts to rescue those still inside. His training and experience as a military officer kicked in, and like so many others, he put his own safety aside to assist his fellow Americans.
“I knew the risks, but there wasn’t time to think about that,” he said. “It was about saving lives, doing whatever we could to help. That’s what we were trained to do, and that’s what we did.”
In the weeks and months following the attack, Davis and his colleagues were tasked with rebuilding and recovering. The Pentagon, while damaged, remained functional, a testament to its resilience and the determination of those who worked there. But the emotional toll of that day lingered for years.
For Davis, the experience of 9/11 fundamentally changed his perspective on life, service, and the nation he had spent his life defending. “It’s hard to explain how that day changed me,” he reflects. “It made me appreciate life in a new way. It reminded me how fragile everything is, how quickly things can change. But it also made me more determined. I knew that what we were doing, the work we had dedicated our lives to, was more important than ever.”
Davis continued to serve in the Army for several more years after the attack, but the events of 9/11 left a lasting mark on him, as it did on so many others. Like many veterans who experienced the attacks firsthand, Davis struggled with the memories and the emotional aftermath. Yet, he remains proud of how he and his colleagues responded that day.
“I’m proud of the way we came together,” Davis said. “We were attacked, but we didn’t break. We stood tall, we helped each other, and we made sure that no one was left behind. That’s what it means to serve this country.”
As the nation marks the anniversary of 9/11 each year, Davis reflects on the importance of remembering those who lost their lives that day and the need to honor their legacy by continuing to serve and protect the country they loved.
“9/11 was a defining moment for our country,” Davis said. “But it was also a reminder of who we are as Americans. We’re strong, we’re resilient, and we come together in times of crisis. That’s the message I hope people take from that day—not just the tragedy, but the way we responded. We didn’t give up, and we won’t give up.”
For Davis and countless others who were there at the Pentagon, the memories of 9/11 are etched into their hearts and minds. While the pain of that day will never fully go away, their story is one of bravery, resilience, and the enduring spirit of service that defines the men and women of the U.S. military.
As the nation continues to heal from the events of 9/11, Davis’ message is clear: never forget, but also never stop moving forward.