The White House is honoring U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan for his extraordinary bravery after saving 165 lives during the catastrophic Texas floods, a rescue effort that was not only his first-ever mission but one carried out under some of the worst flying conditions his team had ever faced.
“Scott Ruskan and his aircrew saved 165 lives on their first mission during the Texas floods,” the White House posted Monday on X.
“From the U.S. Military to first responders and volunteers — these brave Americans remind us who we are. When disaster strikes, they don’t run from the storm. They run into it.”
Scott Ruskan and his aircrew saved 165 lives on their first mission during the Texas floods.
From the U.S. Military to first responders and volunteers — these brave Americans remind us who we are.
When disaster strikes, they don’t run from the storm. They run into it. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/2YhH9Z9T91
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 7, 2025
The Department of Homeland Security also recognized Ruskan and his team, noting in a statement, “During the first rescue mission of his career, Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan directly saved 165 individuals… The Department of Homeland Security applauds the 65 Aircrew members for their heroism and bravery, including Lt. Ian Hopper, Lt. Blair Ogujiofor, and Flight Mechanic Seth Reeves.”
Ruskan, a 26-year-old rescue swimmer based in Corpus Christi, was deployed early on July 4 after devastating flash floods hit central Texas.
The region, particularly Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp along the Guadalupe River, became the epicenter of tragedy, with floodwaters surging.
Launched at dawn from Air Station Corpus Christi, Ruskan’s team battled through nearly seven hours of turbulence and near-zero visibility to reach Camp Mystic. “It was supposed to be a one-hour flight,” Ruskan later told Good Morning America. “It turned into a white-knuckle, seven-to-eight-hour operation just to land safely.”
Ruskan volunteered to stay behind to free up additional space in the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, allowing more evacuees to be airlifted. With no other first responders immediately present, Ruskan became the camp’s sole triage coordinator, medical contact, and source of emotional support for nearly 200 terrified girls, many still in pajamas and some wearing only one shoe.
During the first rescue mission of his career, Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan directly saved 165 individuals.
The Department of Homeland Security applauds the 65 Aircrew members for their heroism and bravery, including Lt. Ian Hopper, Lt. Blair Ogujiofor, and Flight Mechanic Seth… pic.twitter.com/CZ7BY3xo9x
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 7, 2025
“They were scared, cold, wet, and desperate for answers,” Ruskan recalled. “But they looked to me for comfort and safety, and I had to live up to that.”
Using two designated landing zones, one at a soccer field and another on an archery range, Ruskan coordinated with Army National Guard helicopters to evacuate the campers in groups of 10 to 15. In many cases, he carried two children at once to waiting aircraft. When some asked if they could bring a favorite stuffed animal, he said simply: “Of course.”
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The Coast Guard had deployed more than 1,700 emergency responders across the flood zone. Ruskan’s on-the-ground leadership at Camp Mystic became one of the most talked-about efforts in the sprawling rescue operation.
“This is what it’s all about, right?” Ruskan said. “This is why we do the job.”
