Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskan received the Pat Tillman Award for Service during the 2026 ESPY Awards, an honor given to “a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman.”
“In his first-ever rescue mission, at Camp Mystic, on July 4, 2025, Ruskan was the only trained responder on site for three hours – he set up triage, organized safe zones and comforted trapped children, a selfless act of voluntary grounding that directly enabled 165 rescues on a tragic day that claimed 28 lives,” the ESPN Press Room said of Ruskan’s award.
Upon accepting the award, Ruskan said, “It took a complete army of people to get this done.”
Ruskan was previously honored with the Legion of Merit by President Trump. During the State of the Union in February, Trump said, “As the waters threatened to sweep her away, 11-year-old Milly Cate McClymond closed her eyes and prayed to God, she thought she was going to die.”
“Those prayers were answered when Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin descended from a helicopter above,” Trump described, saying Ruskan “lifted not just Milly Cate, but 164 others to safety.”
“It was Scott’s first ever rescue mission — young guy, but very brave,” Trump continued. “Petty Officer Ruskan, I’m pleased to inform you that I am now awarding you the Legion of Merit for extraordinary heroism.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also honored Ruskan last year, declaring that he “answered the call of duty without hesitation—saving 165 lives during his first rescue mission” and exhibited “extraordinary bravery and selfless service” that embodies the “very spirit of the United States Coast Guard and the best of what it means to be an American.”
