2017 Red Bandanna Hero Award Winner

American Heroes Channel (AHC) and Time Inc.'s PEOPLE have partnered with the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust to present the 2017 RED BANDANNA HERO AWARD in memory of 9/11 hero Welles Remy Crowther, also known as "The Man in the Red Bandanna." This year's winner is retired Navy Seal Lieutenant Jason "Jay" Redman, founder of the Combat Wounded Coalition, a non-profit based in Virginia Beach, Va. that is dedicated to inspiring combat-wounded veterans to overcome adversity through four pillars of support: Pride, Power, Purpose and Peace. A television special produced by Time Inc. Productions, "9/11 HERO: THE RED BANDANNA LEGACY" will also highlight three Red Bandanna Heroes when it airs on AHC on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10/9c.

On September 13, 2007 during a combat operation in Fallujah, Iraq, Lt. Redman and his assault team came under heavy machine gun fire. Lt. Redman was severely wounded after being shot through his arm and in his face. Despite having 37 surgeries during his recovery at Bethesda Naval Medical Center, Redman refused to allow his injuries to defeat or demoralize him; instead, he authored a bright orange sign condemning others for viewing him as a "victim" and hung it on the door of his hospital room. This sign evolved into a statement of empowerment for the wounded warrior community, thus inspiring Lt. Redman to create the Combat Wounded Coalition to support combat-wounded service members and the families of the fallen."It is my absolute pleasure to present the 2017 RED BANDANNA HERO AWARD to Lt. Redman, a true American hero and a remarkable champion for the wounded veteran community and their families," said Kevin Bennett, general manager of American Heroes Channel. "Welles, Lt. Redman and all of our Red Bandanna Heroes selflessly put the needs of others above their own, and AHC is proud to give them the recognition they so profoundly deserve for their life-changing work.""Even 16 years after Welles Crowther died helping others on 9/11, his selfless spirit lives on in the recipients of the RED BANDANNA HERO AWARD," said Jess Cagle, editor-in-chief, PEOPLE. "We are honored to feature them in PEOPLE magazine and in the TV special."

As the 2017 RED BANDANNA HERO AWARD winner, Lt. Redman will be featured in the all-new special, 9/11 HERO: THE RED BANDANNA LEGACY premiering worldwide Saturday, October 28 at 10/9c on AHC. The hour-long special, produced by Time Inc. Productions, celebrates American heroes nationwide, not only by retelling the selfless story of Welles Crowther, but also by showcasing the remarkable, inspiring stories of three heroes nominated by AHC viewers who invoke the true heroic spirit of the Red Bandanna in their everyday lives. In addition to Lt. Redman, the other two Red Bandanna Heroes featured in the special are Merideth Spriggs, founder and chief kindness officer of Caridad, an organization dedicated to educating the public on issues of homelessness, and Staci Baldwin, founder of the Jackson Baldwin "Pay It Forward" Foundation, a non-profit created in memory of her son that assists families of children suffering from serious illness or injuries through financial and emotional support. Each of the Red Bandanna Heroes will receive a donation to their organization, in addition to being featured on-air and online in custom "Hero Moment" vignettes.As this year's RED BANDANNA HERO AWARD recipient, Lt. Redman will also be recognized on the field during the annual, nationally-televised prime time Red Bandanna Football Game held at Boston College, on Friday, October 27 at 8 PM ET against Florida State.