George Sirian | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1818 Psara, Ottoman Empire |
| Died | December 21, 1891 (aged 72–73) Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1827–1880 |
| Rank | Warrant officer |
| Battles / wars | |
| Spouse | Eleanor Marshall |
| Children | Constantine Ambrose Sirian |
George Sirian (c. 1818 – December 21, 1891) was aGreek war orphan[1] brought into theUnited States aboard theUSS Constitution ("Old Ironsides"). He served in theUnited States Navy with distinction for over fifty years, first as an ordinaryseaman, and later as awarrant officer with the rank of Gunner.
Sirian was born in about 1818 on theGreek island ofPsara, then part of theOttoman Empire. During theGreek War of Independence, at age six, he witnessed the slaughter of his native Greek countrymen at the hands ofOttoman Turks. His mother was able to rescue him by placing him on a boat which was heading out to sea, escaping the onslaught of Ottoman troops, before she was killed herself.[2]
Rescued byUnited States Navy observers sent there by PresidentJames Monroe, the young refugee spent the next three years serving as either a cabin boy orpowder monkey. This way the crew was able to keep him aboard with unofficial duties until he was of legal age to enlist in the Navy on his own. In theseunofficial positions, Sirian was able to enlist in the Navy a few years later aboard the USSConstitution, which had periodically patrolled the area for years. The ship had been nearChios during the earlier part of the fighting between the Turks andGreeks. Its captain had orders not to interfere in the Greek struggle with the Ottoman Turks and was not allowed to shelter refugees. The only way that Sirian could remain aboard was by joining the Navy.
After about 13 years of service as an enlisted sailor, Sirian was promoted to the warrant officer rank of Gunner on April 20, 1837. During theAmerican Civil War Sirian distinguished himself as a gunnery instructor at theUnited States Naval Academy. Sirian was the only man to serve aboard theConstitution on three separate tours of duty.[3] One of these tours of duty includedConstitution's epic around the world voyage from 1844 to 1846.[4] On July 30, 1872 he was assigned to the steam sloopUSSIdaho.
Sirian remained in the United States Navy for 53 years – possibly the second-longest term of enlistment in U.S. history. (The longest-serving enlisted military man was Chief TorpedomanHarry Simmon Morris, who served 55 years on active duty.) He was placed on the retired list on December 15, 1880, at the age of 62. At the time of his retirement, he was the senior ranking gunner in the Navy.
Sirian married George Marshall’s daughter, Eleanor Marshall, in 1840. U.S. Navy GunnerGeorge Marshall was also a Greek refugee who joined the U.S. Navy in 1809. He wrote the definitive guide on U.S. Naval warfare in 1822.[5] George Sirian and Eleanor Marshall had seven children and four survived to adulthood. His oldest son Constantine Ambrose Sirian, became a U.S. Navy chief. Constantine had two sons, he named his one son George Sirian. George worked as a machinist’s mate in the Norfolk Navy Yard in the early 20th century.[6]
Gunner George Sirian died inPortsmouth, Virginia in 1891 at the age of 73.
Sirian's technical expertise, dedication, and leadership remain an inspirational model for the chief petty officers of today's Navy. Although, strictly speaking, Sirian was never a chief petty officer as that rate was not created until 1893. The George Sirian Meritorious Service Award, which the Navy awards to those who best exemplify surface warfare excellence, was named in his honor.[7][8] Naval Museum exhibits about Sirian's life have been shown throughout the country.