On what was supposed to be just another day of training and readiness, 25-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan became a national hero. In the midst of catastrophic flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas, the rookie Coast Guardsman was deployed for his first-ever mission—and ended up saving an astounding 165 lives. From terrified campers to stranded families, Ruskan’s bravery helped turn tragedy into hope.
Ruskan, a former KPMG accountant from New Jersey, joined the Coast Guard in 2021 and graduated from the elite Aviation Survival Technician program in Petaluma, California—a school known for producing the toughest rescue swimmers in the country. Stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, he’d been on standby for months. But nothing could have fully prepared him for the scale of the July 4 disaster.
As floodwaters swallowed roads and made boat access impossible, helicopters became the only lifeline. Working in tandem with 12 aircraft from multiple agencies, Ruskan was deployed directly to the disaster zone. His task? Triage, comfort, and coordinate the rescue of nearly 200 people trapped in rising waters. And he did just that—with calm under pressure, courage in chaos, and a human touch that made all the difference.
“This is why we do the job,” Ruskan told the New York Post. “People were in danger, and that’s why we’re here. It’s what we train for.” From barefoot children in pajamas to elderly residents clinging to trees, Ruskan was the first face many saw as helicopters circled overhead. He directed rescues with precision and offered comfort to those watching loved ones swept away or still missing.
Among the most heart-wrenching was Camp Mystic, where many of the 700 girls were caught in the sudden flood. Ruskan personally helped rescue dozens from the wreckage, guiding helicopters like the MH-65 Dolphin and Army Blackhawk 60s to locations where girls, counselors, and staff waited in terror. “I just tried to be a voice of calm,” he said. “It was the worst day of their lives. They needed someone to believe they’d make it.”
Despite the heroics, Ruskan insists the mission isn’t over. “We did a lot of good that day,” he said, “but there are still so many people unaccounted for. We’re not done.” His humility has only amplified the praise from leaders and citizens alike. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called him an “American Hero” in a now-viral post on X. Others simply call him a miracle.
For his first mission, Petty Officer Ruskan didn’t just pass the test—he rewrote the standard. And while the floodwaters may recede, his impact on the lives he touched will remain forever.
To support victims of the Texas floods and help with continued rescue efforts, please visit official relief donation channels listed below.
