George Sirian (c. 1818 – December 21, 1891) was a Greek war orphan[1] brought into the United States aboard the USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides").

He served in the United States Navy with distinction for over fifty years, first as an ordinary seaman, and later as a warrant officer with the rank of Gunner.

[2] Rescued by United States Navy observers sent there by President James Monroe, the young refugee spent the next three years serving as either a cabin boy or powder monkey.

During the American Civil War Sirian distinguished himself as a gunnery instructor at the United States Naval Academy.

(The longest-serving enlisted military man was Chief Torpedoman Harry Simmon Morris, who served 55 years on active duty.)

Sirian's technical expertise, dedication, and leadership remain an inspirational model for the chief petty officers of today's Navy.