Looking Back at 9/11: The Pentagon

The home of the Department of Defense, the terrorist attack on the Pentagon witnessed an immediate response from our military. Explore the Army's response through the images below.

Due to the sensitive nature, and considering the time frame and equipment with which they were captured, the majority of the photographs used in this exhibit will appear pixelated.

Security Camera (2001-09-11)National Museum of the United States Army

Security Footage

These still images from a Pentagon security camera show American Airlines Flight 77 approaching and striking the building at 9:37 a.m.

The Nation Watches (2001-09-11) by The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)National Museum of the United States Army

Watching the Attacks

Individuals from across the world sat in stunned silence as they watched the terrorist attacks unfold live.

Inferno (2001-09-11)National Museum of the United States Army

On Fire

The fires inside of the building, created by the impact of the plane, were visible through the melted windows.

On Fire, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Dark Flames, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Cleared for Landing, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Smoke, 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Joint Effort, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Taking Flight (2001-09-11) by The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)National Museum of the United States Army

Taking Flight

Smoke and flame appear in the Washington, D.C., skyline in the aftermath of the attack on the Pentagon.

Fighting the Blaze, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Close Up, Pentagram, 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Going Home (2001-09-11) by The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)National Museum of the United States Army

Going Home

Both military and civilian employees from inside of the Pentagon attempt to head home amidst the chaos.

Heading Home, 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Heading Home, 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Smoke, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Flight Path, Unknown, 2001, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Emergency Services (2001-09-11) by The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)National Museum of the United States Army

Emergency Response

Emergency response teams, including local and military firefighters, EMTs, and police, all respond to the scene.

Health Services, Unknown, provided by Lincoln Leibner, 2001-09-11, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Casualty Affairs, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Prayer, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Looking Out (2001-09-12) by The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)National Museum of the United States Army

Looking Out

Soldiers with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (Old Guard), prepare to deploy from nearby Fort Myer, Virginia, to the Pentagon on September 12, 2001.

Preparation, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-12, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Deployment, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-12, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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On Guard, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Transport, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09-12, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Always Ready, The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), 2001-09, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Burning (2001-09-11)National Museum of the United States Army

Burning

The Pentagon continued burning throughout the night, creating an image that Capt. Lincoln Leibner described as "Atlanta burning."

Melted Windows, 2001-09-12, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Firetruck, 2001, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Clean Up, Unknown, 2001, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Markings, 2001, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Punch Out, 2001, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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In the Wake, 2001-09-14, From the collection of: National Museum of the United States Army
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Mourning (2001) by The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)National Museum of the United States Army

Mourning

In the days, weeks, and years that followed the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, the nation continued to mourn those who tragically lost their lives.

Folding the Flag (2001-09) by The 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)National Museum of the United States Army

Honoring the Flag

American Soldier's deployed to the Pentagon in the aftermath of the terrorist attack pay tribute to the American flag.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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