Bath Iron Works will christen the guided-missile destroyer Stockdale (DDG 106) in a ceremony that is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. this Saturday at the company's Washington Street shipyard.

Spokesman Jim DeMartini said the ship is the first U.S. Navy vessel to be named for Vice Adm. James B. Stockdale, a Navy legend and the recipient of the Medal of Honor for his service during the Vietnam War.

Three Medal of Honor recipients are expected to attend the ceremony, as are several former prisoners of war and Vietnam War veterans. Stockdale was held captive in Hanoi during the war.

Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, will be the principal speaker. Sybil Bailey Stockdale, Stockdale's widow, will serve as ship's sponsor.

The Stockdale is the 30th Arleigh Burke Class destroyer to have been built by BIW. It is more than 500 feet long, 60 feet wide and 100 feet high.