Freedom Isn't Free Special Section, October 2001
As commanding officer of the Naval Reserve Navy Command Center (NCC) Detachment 106, it is my duty to assess crises in terms of potential Navy response. On hearing of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Tuesday morning, I quickly called my N3, directing him to begin organizing his team for potential Crisis Action Team support, grabbed my coat, and departed for the Pentagon.
I was near the top of the fourth corridor escalator when what felt like an earthquake and sounds of explosion wracked the building. The Pentagon general announcement system exhorted all to evacuate the building. As personnel flooded the passageways for departure, I ran to the NCC to see how my unit could provide assistance.
At the entrance to the one-month-old NCC, it was apparent that disaster had struck. Screams and the stench of smoke filled the air in the darkened and destroyed corridor. Broken water pipes and sprinklers showered water. As I started to access the NCC, I heard the cries of a woman from an adjacent restroom. After helping her from that dark and damaged space, I turned back to the NCC, but in those few moments, a collapsed bulkhead had blocked the front door. I decided to work my way toward a back door by way of one of the outdoor accesses between the Pentagon rings.
Once outside, I saw that a major section of the brick bulkhead had given way, leaving a gaping hole—and potential escape route—in the side of the NCC. But the hole, surrounded by the rubble of ceiling material, drywall, and furniture, also was a catalyst for the fire and smoke. A locked chain link fence extending from the C-Ring to the D-Ring prevented access to the breach in the wall.
Looking up, I saw people in the offices of the Army’s Personnel Command, attempting to escape through their recently installed shatterproof windows. Desks, chairs, bookcases, and bodies slammed against the windows. Flames and smoke were clearly visible behind them.
Then, from out of nowhere, help arrived. Rear Admiral Phil Balisle, Director of Surface Warfare, appeared from a hatch with a team of officers from his directorate. As if leading a ship’s repair locker, the admiral immediately took tactical charge of the scene. Keys to the lock on the chain link fence were located, and it was opened. Naval officers trained to fight shipboard battle damage armed themselves with fire extinguishers and went as far into the Navy Command Center as possible, through the debris, fighting the fire and helping people to safety.
As the Army personnel from above pushed their indestructible windows out by their frames, volunteers stepped up to form human safety nets. Of the scores of jumpers I witnessed, not one touched the ground, as their sisters and brothers, strangers moments before, prevented any additional injuries.
Fought with only handheld fire extinguishers and no emergency breathing apparatuses, however, the battle against the fire soon was lost. As the smoke billowed more powerfully and the flames appeared more violently, fewer personnel came from the spaces.
We all knew it was time to shift into the next level of crisis response. As rumors about a second plane or bomb spread, strangers became a focused and unified team—we would work through this together. Leadership and action came from all ranks; first aid was administered from all quarters. We found calm by going to that place in our hearts where duty resides.
On this most horrible of days, this team of heroes, from admiral to the most junior sailors and soldiers, ignored the announcements to leave the building and chose instead to help in any way possible. They made evident the tenets of our core values, Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
The incredible sacrifices of those who were unable to escape the onslaught—and who perished in the Pentagon, New York City, and Pennsylvania—will forever be in our hearts. Their memory will steel our resolve, and can only inspire us to greater deeds.
Captain Edward "Sonny" Masso, U.S. Naval Reserve, is commanding officer of Navy Reserve Navy Command Center 106 Detachment. A 1977 graduate of the University of Mississippi and its NROTC program, he works in civilian life for the Anteon Corporation and serves as chief of staff to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition, Chief Engineer.
Captain Edward Masso
Captain Masso graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1977, and was commissioned an Ensign through the NROTC program. His initial assignment was to the USS Paul F. Foster (DD-964), were he served as First Lieutenant, Navigator, and Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. During his tour, the USS Paul F. Foster was recognized as the Pacific Fleet ASW Ship of the Year. Assignment ashore
Captain Edward Masso to Washington DC followed as Captain Masso was selected as the first surface warfare officer to serve in the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Intern program. At the completion of his joint internship, Captain Masso was assigned to BUPERS as a junior officer detailer.
In 1984 Captain Masso transitioned to the select reserves and served in two assignments at the Naval Reserve Center, Syracuse, New York. He was the training officer for the USS Ainsworth (FF 1090) augment unit and later became a TAO instructor for the Fleet Training Group San Diego detachment. Captain Masso then transferred to the Naval Air Reserve Center, San Diego, where he served as Training Officer and Executive Officer of the USS Constellation (CV 64) augment unit.
Duty followed in Saint Paul, Minnesota with the Commander Reserve Readiness Region Sixteen staff, as Assistant Readiness Assessment Officer. Captain Masso was then assigned to two consecutive Command tours with the Naval Communications Station Diego Garcia and the USS Reeves (CG 24) augment units. Upon completion of his two 0-4 commands, Captin Masso transferred to the US European Command (CINCEUR) in Atlanta, Georgia where he served as the Training/Current Operations Officer. He then commanded the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station, Iceland and Fleet Support Training Units at NMCRC Atlanta. Captain Masso also served a six month ADSW as executive officer of the Atlanta Reserve Readiness Center (NMCRC). Captain Masso commanded the COMFAIR CARIB augment unit in Greenville, South Carolina until its decommissioning in January, 1996.
Captain Masso is a plank owner of the COMSIXTHFLT Det 802 staff where he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Current Operations (N3) involved in numerous joint and coalition exercises and real world operational support. He was additionally responsible for the Area Air Defence Commander (AADC) cell onboard the COMSIXTHFLT flagship.
Captain Masso is married to the former Sherrie Rose Merrell of Hernando, Mississippi and has two children, Alexis and Colin. His personal decorations include two Meritorious Service medals, the Navy Commendation medal and two Navy Achievement medals.