A U.S. Navy sailor from Greeneville is serving aboard the USS New York, a new amphibious assault ship that will be commissioned in New York Harbor this Saturday.

Adam Smith, 22, said by cell phone that the ship arrived in New York Harbor on Monday.

The bow of USS New York (LPD-21) contains 7.5 tons of steel that was taken from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.

"We're very proud that the twisted steel from the World Trade Center towers will soon be used to forge an even stronger national defense," New York Gov. George Pataki said earlier.

He added, "The USS New York will soon be defending freedom and combating terrorism around the globe, while also ensuring that the world never forgets the evil attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the courage and strength New Yorkers showed in response to terror."

The new ship is the fifth in the U.S. Navy's San Antonio class of amphibious transport dock ships, according to its Web site.

About 3,200 survivors and relatives of World Trade Center victims were scheduled to visit the new ship today.

Earlier this week, Smith said, he and other sailors ate ice cream with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg aboard the ship when it was at Pier 88. "I also met the owner of the New York Jets," Smith said.

"President Obama is going to be onboard during the commissioning ceremony," Smith said.

Smith, who joined the U.S. Navy this past January, said he is a quartermaster who helps steer the ship and chart its course while at sea.

He noted that his girlfriend and other friends plan to attend the commissioning ceremony. Smith's mother, Lisa Guin, said she saw her son on television on Tuesday morning.

Smith is the son of Eddie Smith, of Greeneville.

Adam Smith, a graduate of South Greene High School, said he attended East Tennessee State University for about three years before joining the Navy.

He plans to earn a college degree while in the Navy and then apply for admission to Officer Candidate School.

"It's an honor to be part of this," Adam Smith said.