When floodwaters swallowed a Texas summer camp in July 2025, chaos reigned. Roads vanished, buildings crumbled, and screams filled the air. But in the middle of it all, a 26-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer named Scott Ruskan stood between life and death—for over 200 terrified campers, most of them children.

Ruskan had completed his Coast Guard swimmer training just six months earlier. What was meant to be a quiet start to his career turned into a heart-pounding, life-or-death operation. He was among the first to arrive as the flash flood surged through the region, claiming 51 lives and leaving dozens more stranded at Camp Mystic.

“I found out I was the only one there until the first responders got there,” Scott told Good Morning America. “I had about 200 people to manage, mostly kids. They were all scared, frightened, cold—probably having the worst day of their lives.”

Without hesitation, Ruskan got to work. He didn’t panic. He didn’t freeze. Instead, he assessed the situation and moved swiftly, guiding the children to higher ground, keeping them calm, and ensuring every decision counted. Over the next several hours, he saved 165 lives.

But even amid his heroics, Ruskan remained humble. “The real heroes were the kids on the ground,” he said. “They were facing some of the worst moments of their lives, but they stayed strong. That inspired me to keep going.”

Word of Scott’s bravery spread quickly. But it wasn’t just the public that took notice—it was also Karoline Leavitt, a rising public figure with a reputation for championing everyday heroes. Deeply moved by Scott’s story and humility, Karoline paid him a personal visit to hear firsthand what he had done.

What she did next took everyone by surprise.

In an emotional moment, Karoline Leavitt announced she would formally advocate for Scott Ruskan to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom—the highest civilian award in the United States.

“Scott’s actions during the Texas flood were nothing short of extraordinary,” Karoline said. “He put his life on the line to save others, and that’s what true heroism is all about. He’s a living testament to what it means to be selfless and courageous.”

Her words weren’t just ceremonial. She committed to pushing the official nomination forward, determined to make sure the nation recognized what Scott had done—not just for those 165 lives, but for all of us who need reminders that bravery still exists.

For Scott, the moment was overwhelming. “I never expected anything like this,” he said quietly. “I was just doing my job. But for someone like Karoline to take the time to honor me like this—it means the world.”

Public reaction to Karoline’s gesture was immediate and emotional. Messages poured in from across the country—parents, veterans, first responders, and strangers—offering their thanks and sharing how Scott’s story inspired them to act more selflessly in their own lives.

Scott’s heroism has since sparked wider conversations about what it means to serve, to protect, and to step up when no one else can. His story is a raw, powerful example of the strength of the human spirit—an ordinary young man, in an extraordinary moment, who chose courage over fear.

As he continues his service with the Coast Guard, the recognition from Karoline Leavitt and the public will follow him, not as a spotlight he ever asked for, but as a tribute to what he represents: quiet strength, relentless compassion, and the kind of heroism that doesn’t ask for applause.

And if the Medal of Freedom does find its way into Scott Ruskan’s hands—it won’t just be for the lives he saved that day. It will be for reminding America what one brave heart can do when everything is on the line.