In the midst of the catastrophic floods in central Texas, 26-year-old finance expert Scott Ruskin, as a United States Coast Guard rescuer, successfully saved 165 people on his first mission, earning him the title of a “true American hero.” Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, praised him for displaying selfless courage.
Ruskin, a former accountant at KPMG, made the decision to join the Coast Guard in 2021 and underwent several months of intense lifeguard training before being stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. On Friday, July 4th, at 6:30 AM, he embarked on his first mission aboard the MH-65 “Dolphin” helicopter to conduct aerial rescues at the severely affected Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
“We saw around 200 children huddled at the camp, visibly panicked and shivering, clearly enduring one of the worst days of their lives,” Ruskin shared in an interview on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Collaborating with his colleagues, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Army helicopters, they quickly set up two temporary landing zones at the archery and soccer fields for mass evacuation.
He admitted that this was his first real-life experience as a Coast Guard rescuer, just six months after completing his formal training. “The children didn’t know my rank or age, they just knew I was a professional there to help them,” Ruskin said. “I had a duty to fulfill.”
“We managed to rescue most people from Camp Mystic, which is amazing,” he told the New York Post. However, he added, “There are still many missing individuals, so the mission is not over. It’s not over for us.”
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem commended Ruskin on social media for serving as the sole triage coordinator on-site, assisting in assessing injuries and determining evacuation priorities, demonstrating high professionalism and courage. “His selfless courage embodies the spirit and mission of the U.S. Coast Guard,” she emphasized.
She affirmed, “President Trump has committed to utilizing all federal resources to assist in family reunification and rescue efforts. The Department of Homeland Security is fully engaged, and I am personally in constant communication with the President.”
The Guadalupe River recently experienced severe flooding due to heavy rainfall. As of now, Texas has confirmed 82 fatalities, with 68 in Kerr County, including 40 adults and 28 children. Camp Mystic confirmed on Monday, July 7th, that 27 campers and counselors lost their lives, with 11 individuals still missing.
Local search and rescue operations are ongoing, with helicopters, search dogs, diving teams, and surface units conducting thorough searches. Ruskin remarked, “This is what it’s all about, this is why we do this work.”