From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

Point Defiance
A park in Pierce County, Tacoma, Wash., the site of a military reservation established by the U.S. Government in 1866.

Originally Hilton Head but renamed Point Defiance 30 December 1944, LSD-24 was laid down 28 May 1945 by Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Ala. After Japan capitulated the Navy canceled the contract for her construction 17 August 1945, but she was launched under private auspices 21 October 1945.