Slap in the Face': Husband of 9/11 Hero Sends Wife's Posthumous 'Woman of the Year' Award Back to Glamour in Protest Over Caitlyn Jenner

James Smith, the husband of Moira Smith, an NYPD officer who died in the 9/11 attacks, has returned the posthumous "Woman of the Year" award that was given to his wife in 2001, citing shock over Glamour's decision to include Caitlyn Jenner as one of this year's recipients.

Moira Smith, 38, died tragically after heroically helping others to safety during the 2001 terror attack in New York City, which led the magazine to honor her just one month after the horrific attack on the World Trade Center.

But after James Smith, 53, learned about Jenner's inclusion in the 2015 roster of top women, he took action, WPIX-TV reported.

Caitlyn Jenner accepts the Arthur Ashe award for courage at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The "Woman of the Year" award had been on a shelf in his home, but news of Jenner receiving it earlier this month led him to FedEx it right back to Glamour, along with a letter, the New York Post reported.

"I find it insulting to Moira Smith's memory, and the memory of other heroic women who have earned this award," Smith wrote. "Was there no woman in America, or the rest of the world, more deserving than this man?"

He continued, "At a time when we have women in the armed forces fighting and dying for our country, heroic doctors fighting deadly diseases, women police and firefighters putting their lives on the line for total strangers, brave women overcoming life threatening diseases ... the list of possibilities goes on ... is this the best you could do?"

A photo of New York Police Officer Moira Smith, who died at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, is taped under hew newly engraved name at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington Monday, April 29, 2002. (AP Photo/Kenneth Lambert)

The Daily Mail published Smith's letter — addressed to Glamour editor-in-chief Cynthia Leive — in its entirety:

Dear Ms. Leive,

On October 29th, 2001 I was honored to accept the Glamour magazine 'Woman of the Year Award' posthumously given to my wife, Police Officer Moira Smith. 

Moira was killed on September 11th, 2001 while rescuing thousands from the World Trade Center. EMT Yamel Merino was also posthumously honored that evening for her heroism.

I was shocked and saddened to learn that Glamour has just named Bruce Jenner 'Woman of the Year.' I find it insulting to Moira Smith's memory, and the memory of other heroic women who have earned this award. 

Was there no woman in America, or the rest of the world, more deserving than this man? 

At a time when we have women in the armed forces fighting and dying for our country, heroic doctors fighting deadly diseases, women police officers and firefighters putting their lives on the line for total strangers, brave women overcoming life threatening diseases… The list of possibilities goes on… 

Is this the best you could do?

I can only guess that this was a publicity stunt meant to resuscitate a dying medium. After discussing this slap in the face to the memory of our Hero with my family, I have decided to return Moira's award to Glamour magazine. 

Patricia Smith, 7, holds a rose as her father New York City policeman James Smith speaks as they commemorate the loss of her mother Moira Smith, also a New York City police officer, at a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, Monday, Sept. 11, 2006, in New York. (AP Photo/Bruce Gilbert, pool)

As for the magazine's response, a representative said that there are no regrets for honoring either individual.

"We were proud to honor his wife ... in 2001, and we stand by our decision to honor Caitlyn Jenner," the spokeswoman for Glamour told the Post. "Glamour’s 'Women of the Year' awards recognize women with a variety of backgrounds and experiences."

Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:

Follow @BillyHallowell