25 Intense Photos Captured at the Pentagon on 9/11
A piece of aircraft lies in the grass while fire crews work to put out the flames in the minutes after the attack, 11 September 2001. (U.S. Navy/JO1 Mark Faram)
As Americans pause to remember 9/11, the anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania, haunting images of destruction, courage and sacrifice likely leap to mind. We can remember exactly where we were and what we were doing when we learned of the attacks.
But even decades later, rarely seen photos can still offer a unique perspective on the moments of that day that have shaped who we have become as a nation and military in the aftermath of the terror attacks.
The Navy Archives recently released a collection of photos taken by first responders and military members in the hours after American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon at about 9:37 a.m. on 9/11, blazing a path of destruction that ended in an alley between the C and B Rings.
These vivid images offer a special glimpse into the events in and around the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
Fire crews work to put out the flames minutes after the attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (Cpl. Jason Ingersoll/U.S. Marine Corps photo)
The Pentagon seen from across VA-27 S Washington Blvd a few minutes after American Airlines Flight 77 hit the building, Sept. 11, 2001. (Cpl. Jason Ingersoll/U.S. Marine Corps photo)
Pentagon employees gather in the south parking lot following the attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (Courtesy of Alexandria, Virginia, Fire Department)
The first fire teams begin working to put out the flames in the minutes after the attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (JO1 Mark Faram/U.S. Navy photo)
Pentagon employees along with members of the Crane Group gather in the south parking lot area after the attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (Courtesy of the Crane Group)
Fire crews work to put out the flames minutes after the attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (Cpl. Jason Ingersoll/U.S. Marine Corps photo)
Emergency response teams begin preparing triage areas outside of the Pentagon after the attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (Courtesy of Alexandria, Virginia, Fire Department)
Pentagon employees walk away from the building along VA-27 South Washington Boulevard after the attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (JO1 Mark Faram/U.S. Navy photo)
Pentagon employees walk away from the building along VA-27 South Washington Boulevard after the attack, Sept. 11, 2001. (JO1 Mark Faram/U.S. Navy photo)
Fire crews work to put out the flames after the collapse of the E Ring, Sept. 11, 2001. (Courtesy of Alexandria, Virginia, Fire Department)
An emergency response helicopter lands on Columbia Pike outside of the Pentagon, Sept. 11, 2001. (Courtesy of Alexandria, Virginia, Fire Department)
Fire crews work to put out the flames after the E Ring of the Pentagon collapsed, Sept. 11, 2001. (Cpl. Jason Ingersoll/U.S. Marine Corps photo)
Offices in the E Ring of the Pentagon are left exposed after the collapse of the neighboring section, Sept. 11, 2001. (Cpl Jason Ingersoll/U.S. Marine Corps photo)
A triage team prepares to work on Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
Fire crews work to put out the flames after the collapse of the E Ring, Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
Fire crews work to put out the flames after the collapse of the E Ring, Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
Pentagon employees, law enforcement and emergency response teams gather on VA-110 near the north parking lot, Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
Flames escape from E Ring office windows near the heliport control tower, Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
A firefighter works to put out fires burning in the E Ring of the Pentagon near the heliport control tower, Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
Triage teams prepare to work on Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
Fire crews work while standing amidst piles of debris, Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
FBI personnel and emergency response teams work near the collapsed E Ring, Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
U.S. Army personnel take a break from duty at the Pentagon, Sept. 12, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
Volunteers and FBI personnel perform evidence sweeps near the point of impact, Sept. 11, 2001. (TSgt Louis Briscese/U.S. Air Force photo)
Navy personnel return to their offices on the fourth deck of the E Ring to retrieve materials and view the point of collapse, Sept. 27, 2001. (CDR George Navas/U.S. Navy photo)
This story was corrected to remove a typo regarding the flight number of the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania.
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