President Trump recognized extraordinary courage during Tuesday’s State of the Union Address, presenting the Legion of Merit to Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Ruskan, a United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer who saved more than 150 girls from catastrophic flooding in central Texas last year.
The ceremony marked a poignant reunion between Ruskan and one of those he rescued, a young girl named Millie Kate, who joined him in the House chamber for the presentation.
“People watched Scott from a distance and they could not believe what they were seeing,” the President told the assembled Congress and the nation. “The winds were blowing, the rain was pouring, everything was going and that rapid water – nobody has ever seen anything like it.”
The devastating flash floods struck central Texas over the Independence Day weekend, turning what should have been a celebration into a life-threatening emergency. Ruskan, an aviation survival technician by formal designation, performed his duties under conditions that tested the limits of human capability and courage.
The Legion of Merit, one of the nation’s highest military decorations, is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The President’s decision to present this honor during the State of the Union underscores the significance of Ruskan’s actions and the administration’s commitment to recognizing military valor.
“Tonight, Scott and Millie Kate are here together, reunited for the very first time,” the President announced before delivering the formal citation. “Petty Officer Ruskan, I am pleased to inform you that I am now awarding you the Legion of Merit for Extraordinary Heroism.”
The chamber erupted in sustained applause, a rare moment of unity in an often divided political environment. Members of both parties rose to their feet to honor the Coast Guard petty officer’s selfless service.
Coast Guard rescue swimmers undergo some of the most rigorous training in the American military. These specialists must be prepared to deploy in the worst possible conditions, often jumping from helicopters into turbulent waters to save lives. Their motto, “So Others May Live,” was exemplified in Ruskan’s actions during those harrowing July days.
The rescue operation involved navigating treacherous floodwaters swollen by torrential rainfall, with strong currents capable of sweeping away vehicles and structures. That Ruskan successfully evacuated more than 150 individuals, many of them children, speaks to both his technical proficiency and his unwavering determination.
The State of the Union has long served as a platform for presidents to highlight American heroes, but the presence of both rescuer and rescued added particular emotional weight to this year’s ceremony. Young Millie Kate’s presence served as a living testament to the consequences of courage and the lives forever changed by one man’s refusal to yield to impossible circumstances.
This recognition arrives as the Coast Guard continues to expand its role in domestic emergency response, working alongside other federal and state agencies during natural disasters. Ruskan’s heroism reminds the nation that military service extends beyond traditional combat operations to include the protection of American citizens in their darkest hours.
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