Lawrence O. Lawson

Lawrence Oscar Lawson (September 11, 1842 – October 29, 1912) was a station keeper in the United States Life-Saving Service. He was given command of the Evanston, Illinois, Life-Saving Station Number 12, District 11 of the United States Life-Saving Service off the coast of Lake Michigan in 1880. As station keeper, Lawson was responsible for selecting and training Northwestern University students to serve as his surfboat crew.

On November 28, 1889, he led the crew of his surfboat on a heroic rescue of all 18 crewmen of the freighter ''Calumet''. On October 17, 1890, Lawson and his six crewmen were awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal. Provided by Wikipedia