Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan, with camper Milly Cate McClymond whom he saved during the Texas floods, is honored as President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address Feb. 24, 2026, in Washington. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Trump reunited the young girl and Ruskan during the State of the Union.
"It was Scott's first ever rescue mission," the president said, describing him as young, but very brave. "He lifted not just Milly Cate, but 164 others to safety. People watched Scott from a distance and they couldn't believe what they were seeing."
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Coast Guard swimmer Scott Ruskan was awarded the Legion of Merit during the State of the Union. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Ruskan, who was 26 at the time of the rescue operation, repeatedly has been praised for his heroism, including Department of Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem calling him an "American hero."
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"United States Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Petty Officer Scott Ruskin (Ruskan), directly saved an astonishing 165 victims in the devastating flooding in central Texas," Noem’s posted to her social on X in July 2025. "This was the first rescue mission of his career and he was the only triage coordinator at the scene. Scott Ruskin (Ruskan) is an American hero. His selfless courage embodies the spirit and mission of the @USCG."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-recounts-deadly-texas-flood-rescue-reunites-camper-coast-guard-swimmer-sotu