Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem praised a young Coast Guard hero on Saturday for braving the deadly Texas floodwaters and saving 165 people—on what was his very first rescue mission.
In a statement posted to X, Noem honored Petty Officer Scott Ruskin, a newly minted rescue swimmer, who she said was “directly responsible” for the dramatic saves amid catastrophic flash flooding across central Texas.
“United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Petty Officer Scott Ruskin directly saved an astonishing 165 victims in the devastating flooding in central Texas,” Noem wrote. “This was the first rescue mission of his career and he was the only triage coordinator at the scene. Scott Ruskin is an American hero. His selfless courage embodies the spirit and mission of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Petty Officer Scott Ruskin, directly saved an astonishing 165 victims in the devastating flooding in central Texas.
This was the first rescue mission of his career and he was the only triage coordinator at the scene.
Scott Ruskin is…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) July 6, 2025
Ruskin’s remarkable performance comes from a unit known for its intense training and elite standards. Coast Guard rescue swimmers—officially called Aviation Survival Technicians—undergo nearly a year of some of the toughest military training in America. With a nearly 80% washout rate, only the most disciplined and courageous make it through.
Trainees are required to earn their EMT certification and master demanding physical challenges, including underwater swims, long-distance endurance swims, and rescue towing simulations.
The program, established in 1984, has played a crucial role in saving lives during national disasters, including Hurricane Katrina. Ruskin now joins that proud legacy—proving that even on a first mission, excellence and heroism can rise to the surface when America needs it most.
Noem’s recognition underscores the Trump administration’s strong focus on honoring American service members and first responders—especially those who risk everything to protect fellow citizens during national emergencies.