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.

Petty Officer Scott Ruskan is being hailed as a hero after rescuing 165 flood victims during his very first rescue mission amid the catastrophic flooding that struck central Texas late last week.