Rookie Coast Guard Swimmer Saves 165 in First Mission—Officials Call Him “An American Hero”

In the midst of the catastrophic floods that ravaged Central Texas, one man became a symbol of hope. Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, on his first-ever mission as a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer, personally saved 165 stranded victims—including campers, seniors, and children trapped in rising waters.

 Image below: Petty Officer Ruskan standing in front of the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter used in the rescue.

According to People Magazine, Ruskan said: “The real heroes were the kids on the ground helping one another. I was just doing my job.”

The rescues took place at Camp Mystic, a girls’ summer camp completely cut off by floodwaters. Some campers had to crawl across rooflines to reach higher ground. Parents waited hours with no updates. When helicopters finally arrived, Ruskan was the one lowered again and again into danger.

 VIDEO: Secretary Kristi Noem called Ruskan “an American hero” in a live press briefing. Watch below:

From gCaptain, a fellow crew member shared: “Ruskan was surgical. He performed under pressure like someone with years of experience.”

The operation, coordinated with FEMA and local responders, came as the death toll in Texas surpassed 90, according to The Guardian. Entire towns were submerged, and over 30 campers at Camp Mystic had to be triaged.

Despite being new to the field, Ruskan never hesitated. With each drop into the flood zone, he brought up survivors—crying, injured, exhausted, but alive.

Now America is calling him what he’s earned: a hero.

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