SHIELD
Tierced in Pale, Azure, Or and Gules, an escutcheon Gris bearing a demi-Morro Castle between a pair of palewise sledgehammers, surmounted by an anvil in base, all Argent (Silver); all within a diminished bordure of the last.
CREST
From a wreath Or and Azure, a pair of cannons in saltire, muzzles upwards Argent (Silver) surmounted by an eagle crouched wings inverted Proper.
SUPPORTERS
On either side of the shield, a USCG Officer sword in dexter and a USCG Chief Petty Officer cutlass in sinister, both in pale points to base Proper.
MOTTO
Entwining the supporters, a scroll Gules garnished Rayonn Gules (MC Scarlet) inscribed FORJADO to dexter and DEL FUEGO to sinister Argent.
SHIELD
The shape of the shield is adapted from the logo of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, commemorating Joseph Tezanos early career before joining the Coast Guard. The blue, gold and red partitions refer to the ribbon colors of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, awarded to then-Gunners Mate Second Class Tezanos for his heroic actions in rescuing 42 people during the West Loch Disaster at Pearl Harbor on May 21, 1944. The escutcheon is a steel plate signifying Tezanos employment in the steel industry working for Bethlehem Steel. The Spanish style castle alludes to Tezanos heritage as well as to a common type fortress present in Puerto Rico.
CREST
The crossed cannons connote Tezanos rate of Gunners Mate in the United States Coast Guard. The eagle is emblematic of his transition to the Officers Corps.
MOTTO
The phrase FORJADO DEL FUEGO translates to FORGED THROUGH FIRE. This motto personifies Tezanos by both the Spanish language commemorating his heritage, as well as describing a process in steel working that shapes and hardens metal through heat and pressure. Tezanos forged his mettle through both literal heat and pressure by assisting in the rescue of 42 people following the explosion of LST 353 in 1944. To further illustrate this theme, the color of the scroll is red and is edged rayonn, heraldic symbol for flame. Additionally, the scroll undulates and radiates from behind the shield, emulating a flickering flame. SUPPORTERS: The U.S. Coast Guard Officers sword refers to Tezanos service as a deck officer aboard USS JOSEPH T. DICKMAN (APA 13), while the Chief Petty Officers cutlass honors the enlisted crew of WPC 1118.
SEAL
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color upon a white disc enclosed within a blue collar edged on the outside with gold chain bearing 42 front-facing chain links and inscribed with the name USCGC JOSEPH TEZANOS at top and WPC 1118 in base, all in gold. The chain links are representative of the 42 lives that Tezanos assisted in rescuing from the West Loch Disaster.