SS President Coolidge Newport News, Virginia built the two ships, completing "President Hoover" in 1930. The keel for "President Coolidge" was laid 22 April 1930 and the ship was delivered 1 October 1931. They were the largest merchant ships built in the United States up to that time. Each ship had turbo-electric transmission, with a pair of steam turbo generators generating current that powered propulsion motors on the propeller shafts. Westinghouse built the turbo generators and propulsion motors for "President Coolidge" but General Electric built the turbo generators and propulsion motors for "President Hoover". In the "President Coolidge" twelve Babcock & Wilcox superheater
SS President Coolidge who were advised that US military would perform a full military funeral service and he will be buried with his parents. Pfc.Joseph A. LaValley was the first of more than 50 Transportation Company men and women at a retreat parade where Lt. Robert D. McCaughley presented him with a citation honoring him for courage and discipline displayed during the sinking of the U.S. Army Transport President Coolidge in the South Pacific. The loss of critical equipment being carried in "President Coolidge", forcing redistribution of scarce local stores, combined with loss of the ship when shipping was critically short, delaying deployment