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Father Mychal Judge Named Victim 0001 on 9/11

By Drooid · Sep 11, 2026, 5:45 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Father Mychal Judge died while giving last rites in the North Tower on September 11, 2001.
He became Victim 0001, the first officially recorded casualty of the attacks.
Five rescuers—Christian Waugh, Zachary Vause, William Cosgrove, Kevin Allen, and John Maguire—carried his body.
His body lay before the altar at St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street.

History

Historical Context

The 1993 World Trade Center bombing, occurring on February 26 1993, shattered the towers' underground parking and killed six people. FBI agent John O'Neill, then head of the New York field office, warned of al-Qaeda's growing threat, citing $1 million in ransom demands. When the September 11, 2001 attacks struck, Father Mychal Judge became Victim 0001, carried by rescuers Christian Waugh and Zachary Vause to St. Peter’s Church. The 1993 bombing’s failure to secure the towers highlighted security gaps, prompting later reforms that still left first responders vulnerable during 9/11.

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Story summary

Father Mychal Judge died while giving last rites in the North Tower on September 11, 2001.
He became Victim 0001, the first officially recorded casualty of the attacks.
Five rescuers—Christian Waugh, Zachary Vause, William Cosgrove, Kevin Allen, and John Maguire—carried his body.
His body lay before the altar at St. Peter’s Church on Barclay Street.

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