On the day William James would have celebrated his 52nd birthday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers honored him in grand style by naming a new motor vessel after the late galley cook.

&#8220Thank you for your service. And Happy Birthday,” Col. Anthony C. Vesay, Vicksburg District engineer, said during a ceremony Thursday at the Corps’ Jadwin site at the Vicksburg harbor.

James worked for the Corps as a cook on the MV Lipscomb from 1979 until he fell overboard and drowned in 2003. In 24 years of service, he also served as a painter and painter’s helper.

By decommissioning the 2,000-horsepower MV Lipscomb, first put into use by the Corps in 1958, and naming the 144-foot, 3,300-horsepower motor vessel after James, the Corps, for the first time, named a boat after an African-American wage grade employee.

&#8220This is a celebration of the highest order,” Brig. Gen. Robert Crear said, adding the naming of the vessel was indicative of the character of blue-collar workers in every walk of life.

&#8220They are the backbone of the Army Corps and the backbone of our nation,” Crear said.

About 100 members of James’ immediate and extended family were invited to the event, with the vast majority exchanging smiles and hugs with dignitaries.

&#8220We’re basically speechless as to how to express what we feel in our hearts,” said Linda Sweezer-Bell, a cousin of James, as she presented a token of appreciation to Vesay.

Then she, along with James’ mother, Geneva Johnson and widow, Ellaine James, accepted a gleaming, black-and-white etching of James’ image next to that of the vessel.

James’ friends and associates during his years with the Corps were also there to heap praise.

&#8220He was one of the most beautiful persons you wanted to work with,” said Larry &#8220LD” Prentiss, a Corps retiree and onetime supervisor for James.

&#8220I knew a man who loved life and who lived life to the fullest,” said Vicksburg North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield.

The MV William James joins five other boats used by the Corps’ Vicksburg District as workboats during revetment and other projects along the Mississippi River levee system.

They include the Jadwin, the Fred Lee, the Benyaurd, the Sandiford and the Harrison.