Defoe Shipbuilding Company as a Presidential Yacht. It was called the "Barbara Anne" by President Eisenhower after his granddaughter, the "Honey Fitz" by President Kennedy in honor of his maternal grandfather John Francis Fitzgerald, and the "Tricia" by President Nixon after his daughter. In 1941, the name of the company was changed to Defoe Shipbuilding Company. During World War II, all production went to the war effort. From 1939 to 1945, the company built 154 ships, including four s, 13 destroyer escorts, 11 destroyer transports (converted destroyer escorts), patrol craft, and numerous landing craft of various types. The brand-new Defoe family yacht even
Joseph Fitz extraordinary heroism. Joseph Fitz Joseph Fitz (May 24, 1886 in Austria – February 24, 1945) was a United States Navy Ordinary Seaman who received the Medal of Honor for actions on March 8, 1906 during the Philippine-American War. He served in the navy from 1900 to 1910, and later obtained the rank of seaman. Rank and Organization: Ordinary Seaman, U.S. Navy. Born: May 24, 1886, Austria. Accredited to: Iowa. G.O. No.: 19, May 1, 1906. Citation: On board the , Mount Dajo Jolo, Philippine Islands, 8 March 1906. Serving in the presence of the enemy on this date, Fitz displayed