Heroic Masculinity: Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Saves Over 200 From Texas Floods
Meet Scott Ruskin, the U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer who saved over 200 lives responding to the horrific floods in Texas.
Petty Officer Ruskin, an aviation survival technician 3rd class stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas, directly saved 165 people in Kerr County, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem.
“This was the first rescue mission of his career and he was the only triage coordinator at the scene,” Secretary Noem said. “Scott Ruskin is an American hero. His selfless courage embodies the spirit and mission of the U.S. Coast Guard.”
Of the 165 people Petty Officer Ruskin rescued, 15 were campers from Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, where 27 other campers and counselors lost their lives.
Ruskin also remained with victims of the flooding, providing medical assistance to and aiding with the evacuation of 230 victims, a press release from the Coast Guard disclosed.
Photo of Petty Officer Ruskin, used with permission of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Ruskin, a New Jersey native, graduated from Rider University in 2021.
During his mission, he found himself with around 200 children who were “all scared, terrified, cold, having probably the worst day of their lives,” Ruskin told “Good Morning America” in an interview.
“I saw a huge crowd of about 200 kids at a campsite,” he added in an appearance on “Fox & Friends.”
“We were like, ‘Cool, that’s where we’re going to go and get as many people out as we can.’”
Ruskin, acknowledging it was his first rescue mission, said,
You can watch Ruskin’s full interview with “Good Morning America” below:
Petty Officer Ruskin’s courage and heroic actions are worth commendation and praise. His bravery and service are just one more example of the self-sacrificial masculinity that is sorely needed in our culture today.
Glenn T. Stanton, Director of Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, has chronicled several of the “essential characteristics” of manhood, which men across times and cultures should exhibit, including:
- Courage
- Steps Up
- Provides and Protects
- Self-Reliance
- Honest and Moral Strength
- Tenacity
- Self-Control
- Under Authority
- Shows Respect
- Loyalty
- Humility
- Compassion
- Lives His Character
Not every man will get the chance to rescue 200 people, descending from the skies in an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
But if more men chose to live out the essential characteristics of masculinity, in whatever place they find themselves in life, our world would be a much better place indeed.
We extend deep gratitude to Petty Officer Ruskin and his crew and thank them for their service with the U.S. Coast Guard.
To speak with a family help specialist or request resources, please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
Related articles and resources:
The Best Way a Son Learns to Be a Man
Discovering What it Means to Be a Man
Fatherhood: How to Be the Dad Your Family Needs
Superman and a Culture in Need of Masculinity
Courageous Dad Walks 30 Miles Through Flood Debris to Walk Daughter Down Aisle
Heroic Masculinity: Weatherman Rescues Woman Trapped in Car During Hurricane Helene
Grieving Corey Comperatore and Honoring Healthy Masculinity
The War on Masculinity is Toxic: Exclusive Interview with Prof. Nancy Pearcey
Photos courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard.
