SHIELD
Per bend wavy Argent and Purpure three barrulets grady to dexter of the like, in sinister chief a compass arrow pointing Northwest surmounted by two pierced mullets of seven points of the first detailed Gris.
SUPPORTERS
Two pennants in saltire Proper, on the dexter side, the Life Saving Service pennant and on the sinister side, the 11th District Station Service pennant.
CREST
On a wreath of the colors Argent and Purpure, a boat hook and oar in saltire Proper surmounted by a life preserver Gules, debruised by a wildcat passant Proper, collared of the third.
MOTTO
On a scroll Gris, doubled Purpure, the inscription BORN ON TRAGEDY BRED IN HEROISM in Purpure letters.
SHIELD
Purple and white are the colors of Northwestern University and here represent Keeper Lawrence Lawson and his heroic student volunteer crew from Northwestern. The three heraldic bars are formed in the shape of oars and, complete with the wavy division, symbolize how Lawsons crew launched a surfboat in gale force winds and rowed out in icy conditions to rescue the crew of the distressed steam vessel Calumet. The three oars commemorate three successive trips through the breakers to bring all 18 members of Calumets complement ashore. The compass arrow points to the Northwest (representing the University) and is embellished with two seven-pointed stars, symbolizing the seventy-seven students that served during the period students manned the lifesaving station as surfmen.
SUPPORTERS
Two pennants--the United States Life-Saving Service pennant on the dexter side and the 11th District Station Service pennant on the sinister side--are flown at Life-Saving Service stations to identify the Life-Saving District. These are representative of the station in Evanston, Illinois at which Keeper Lawrence Lawson served for 23 years, making him one of the longest serving Station Keepers in U.S. Life-Saving Service history.
CREST
The wreath adopts the first named metal and color from the shield and blazon. The boat hook (pole hook) is a traditional symbol depicting the Coast Guards search and rescue mission, and the oar and life preserver recall the U.S. Life-Saving Service emblem. The wildcat is the mascot of Northwestern University and is known for being a strong hunter. The cats collar displays the ribbon color of the Gold Lifesaving Medal that Lawrence Lawson was awarded for his heroic leadership during the rescue of the Calumet crew. The life preserver is a well-recognized symbol for search and rescue. It alludes to Lawsons term as Keeper of Station Evanston where he and his crews successfully responded to numerous shipwrecks and saved many lives.
SEAL
The coat of arms as blazoned in full color on a white round disc within a dark blue designation band, edged with a gold roped border and bearing the name USCGC LAWRENCE LAWSON at the top and WPC 1120 at the base.