On his first mission, a 26-year-old rescue swimmer delivers under deadly pressure
A young Coast Guard rescue swimmer is being called an American hero after helping save 165 lives during the devastating July 4th Texas floods — and it was his very first mission.
Petty Officer Scott Ruskan, 26, a New Jersey native and former KPMG accountant, sprang into action when catastrophic flooding hit Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp along the Guadalupe River.
“This is why we do the job,” Ruskan told the New York Post. “This is what it’s all about.”
165 Lives Saved in One Day
After joining the Coast Guard in 2021, Ruskan trained for years — but nothing could have prepared him for the moment he was dropped into a disaster zone.
By 7 a.m. Friday, he and other responders flew into central Texas in MH-65 and Blackhawk helicopters.
The mission: rescue nearly 200 campers stranded with no way out. Roads were gone. Floodwaters made boat rescues impossible.
Five girls, aged 8 and 9, had already been confirmed dead. A counselor and 11 others were still missing.
“All the roads were impassable. Helicopters were the only way in or out,” Ruskan said.
Christian Camp Ground Zero for Chaos
Camp Mystic was sitting on high ground, but surrounded by snapped trees, mangled cars, and rising waters.
The crew quickly realized they couldn’t airlift everyone in one trip. Ruskan volunteered to stay on the ground and coordinate triage and helicopter movements.
“Sweet. I’ll be more helpful down here,” Ruskan recalled saying.
What followed was a day of high-stakes, emotional rescue work.
Comforting Survivors Amid Horror
Ruskan was the first and only Coast Guardsman on the ground.
Surrounded by shoeless, soaking-wet campers in pajamas, he took charge — directing helicopters, calming terrified children, and consoling weeping parents.
“This is the worst day of their lives,” he said. “They’re missing friends and family. They looked to us for guidance.”
“I couldn’t help them find their loved ones, but I could get them out of there alive.”
Mission Not Over
Thanks to Ruskan’s leadership, 165 were rescued before nightfall.
“We got the majority of people out. I feel like we did a lot of good. But it’s still super sad.”
“There’s still people missing. The mission isn’t over.”
Multiple agencies remain on the ground — including the Coast Guard, Air National Guard, and Texas Task Force 1.
Recognized by the Homeland
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised Ruskan on social media, calling him an “American hero” and saying his “selfless courage embodies the spirit of the Coast Guard.”
But Ruskan deflected the praise.
“Honestly, I’m just a dude doing the job,” he said.“Any one of us would have done the same thing.”
