Petty Officer 3rd Class Scott Ruskan, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and New Jersey native, is credited with saving lives during the devastating Texas flooding.

Scott Ruskan, 26, a helicopter rescue swimmer from New Jersey, was praised for his life-saving efforts after he was deployed on his first mission to evacuate children from Camp Mystic in Texas. At least 82 people died after thunderstorms caused the Guadalupe River to surge Friday.