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Coast Guard swimmer called a hero for helping rescue over 160 people in Texas floods
Scripps News ^ | July 7, 2025 | Taylor O'Bier

Posted on 07/07/2025 11:25:30 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum

It was U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan's first mission as a member of the Coast Guard, and he led triage coordination for most of the operation.

A member of the U.S. Coast Guard is being hailed as a hero for rescuing over 160 people during the catastrophic flash floods in Central Texas on the Fourth of July.

U.S. Coast Guard Heartland, which is headquartered in New Orleans and serves multiple states, said on Facebook that U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan assisted in the evacuation of 169 people.

It was Ruskan's first mission as a member of the Coast Guard, and he led triage coordination for most of the operation.

The Coast Guard said Ruskan also helped direct girls from Camp Mystic to rescue helicopters.

According to local weather officials, the heavy rains pushed the Guadalupe River to swell to 26 feet in just 45 minutes — its second-highest height on record.

The devastating floods resulted in over 90 deaths, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Dozens of those deaths were children. The number is expected to rise as recovery efforts continue in the region.

On Monday, Camp Mystic said it lost 27 counselors and campers when a wall of water slammed into its cabins built along the river.

(Excerpt) Read more at scrippsnews.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: campmystic; coastguard; disaster; flood; texas
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1 posted on 07/07/2025 11:25:30 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

This is a real hero.


2 posted on 07/07/2025 11:27:46 AM PDT by packrat35 (Pureblood! No clot shot for me!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

An American Hero. He’s not taking any credit for saving all those lives. He’s been giving credit to the “survivors” all morning for HELPING EACH OTHER. This guy makes me proud to be an American.


3 posted on 07/07/2025 11:28:06 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Correction! America is a nation of LEGAL IMMIGRANTS! All of mine came here legally. No free stuff.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
This American hero deserves his picture posted....well done young man! 🙌
4 posted on 07/07/2025 11:29:30 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)
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To: V_TWIN

If this story doesn’t put a lump in one’s throat, nothing will. Well done, young man. Maybe his generation isn’t lost after all.


5 posted on 07/07/2025 11:32:15 AM PDT by AFB-XYZ (( We have two options: 1. Stand up, or 2. Bend over))
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To: AFB-XYZ

I was in such a hurry on my all-too-short lunch break that I overlooked where you said “Well done, young man”. My duplication of it was totally an accident. Respect — both to you, and to hero whose picture you posted.


6 posted on 07/07/2025 11:34:12 AM PDT by AFB-XYZ (( We have two options: 1. Stand up, or 2. Bend over))
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To: AFB-XYZ

I wouldn’t be surprised if President Trump recognizes him in some way.


7 posted on 07/07/2025 11:35:01 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)
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To: V_TWIN
I was in such a hurry on my all-too-short lunch break that I overlooked where you said “Well done, young man”. My duplication of it was totally an accident. Respect — both to you, and to hero whose picture you posted.

Sorry, I sent my supplemental post to myself instead of to you. Sheesh, it's Monday all the way around. :-)

8 posted on 07/07/2025 11:36:02 AM PDT by AFB-XYZ (( We have two options: 1. Stand up, or 2. Bend over))
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To: AFB-XYZ

No prob.....I got it. 👍


9 posted on 07/07/2025 11:37:49 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)
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To: V_TWIN
I wouldn’t be surprised if President Trump recognizes him in some way.

Makes two of us!

10 posted on 07/07/2025 11:38:15 AM PDT by AFB-XYZ (( We have two options: 1. Stand up, or 2. Bend over))
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

160 people! Wow!


11 posted on 07/07/2025 11:39:54 AM PDT by Honorary Serb (Kosovo is Serbia! Free Srpska! Abolish ICTY!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

He helped to rescue at least 169 people in that emergency. That is HUGE! That is Congressional Medal of Honor material, there. What a touching ceremony that would be, attended by several of those he rescued.


12 posted on 07/07/2025 11:43:19 AM PDT by lee martell
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

He is an E-4. I would think he would be inline for a full promotion to E-5 without being frocked. Not sure if if he can jump 2 pay grades to E-6, but if I were his boss I would try to make that happen.


13 posted on 07/07/2025 11:46:39 AM PDT by EVO X ( )
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

White House visit + Presidential Medal of Freedom.


14 posted on 07/07/2025 11:52:38 AM PDT by libh8er
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

The only thing I couldn’t figure out is how this was his first “mission”. Then I realized he was likely in “A” school (or equivalent) right after basic for his rescue swimmer designation which would have kept him away from regular ops until now.

If he had 3 years of ROTC in HS he can go in directly as an E-3 then only 6 months is required to E-4....at least that was how it used to be.


15 posted on 07/07/2025 11:53:46 AM PDT by reed13k
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I wonder what (..) pronouns are and if (..) would taken offense if we assumed he/him.


16 posted on 07/07/2025 11:55:23 AM PDT by libh8er
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

“called a hero”?????

Is anyone doubting that he is?

Why not: Heroic Efforts of Coast Guard swimmer rescues over 160 people in Texas floods


17 posted on 07/07/2025 11:55:43 AM PDT by Michael.SF. (MAGA)
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To: Michael.SF.

Per Ruskin:

We set up base where there were about 200 people.

I helped triage and load them on helicopters, ten to 15 at a time.


18 posted on 07/07/2025 12:03:24 PM PDT by TexasGator ('i.. logo About Issues Projects Products Connect Subscribe Invest June 19, 2025 | Insight '1-1111 -)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Semper Paratus. At least this time they didn’t forgot us. Great job Coastie 👍


19 posted on 07/07/2025 12:08:06 PM PDT by dblshot
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

This line is a good example of how SCRIPPS News thinks when it comes to Americans and military:

“More than 160” rather then “almost 170”. This erring towards the negative and rounding down rather than the positive is their standard MO when it comes to Conservatism, Christianity, Military, or Trump. They are a CCP propaganda machine.


20 posted on 07/07/2025 12:08:57 PM PDT by Openurmind (AI - An Illusion for Aptitude Intrusion to Alter Intellect. )
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