USS Ramage Chief Selected for George Sirian Award

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Milham | BOSTON (Sept. 30, 2022) Command Senior Chief Seth Miles, right, presents Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Adam Yenny with the 2021 USS Constitution George Sirian Meritorious Leadership Award plaque while underway aboard USS Constitution. The USS Constitution George Sirian Meritorious Leadership Award recognizes a chief petty officer who embodies former USS Constitution crew member George Sirian through their technical expertise, dedication, and leadership. USS Constitution, is the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat, and played a crucial role in the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812, actively defending sea lanes from 1797 to 1855. During normal operations, the active-duty Sailors stationed aboard USS Constitution provide free tours and offer public visitation to more than 600,000 people a year as they support the ship’s mission of promoting the Navy’s history and maritime heritage and raising awareness of the importance of a sustained naval presence. USS Constitution was undefeated in battle and destroyed or captured 33 opponents. The ship earned the nickname of Old Ironsides during the war of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship’s wooden hull. (U.S. Navy Photo Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Grant G. Grady/Released)  

UNITED STATES

09.30.2022

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Milham 

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic

The Surface Navy Association (SNA) presented the 2022 Master Gunner George Sirian Meritorious Service Award to Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) Adam Yenny, during a ceremony aboard USS Constitution, Sept. 30, 2022.

The award honors George Sirian, a 19th century “Old Ironsides” crewmember who rose through the ranks from seaman to warrant officer in a career that spanned more than 50 years.

Yenney’s selection for the award recognizes years of hard work and dedication to his ship and shipmates. Currently assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61), with Yenney aboard, the crew won back-to-back Battle E Awards, putting the ship in elite and rare company.

Yenney filled a critical fleet gap aboard USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) in 2021. Under his leadership, the Engineering Department excelled operationally and earned a score of 93% on their engineering light-off assessment.

A year later and back aboard Ramage, Yenney sprang into action when the ship underwent an unexpected dry dock period. His actions affected the entire ship, reducing negative effects for Sailors living aboard and reducing the impact on the ship’s basic phase. Ramage commanding officer, Cmdr. James Walker, recognized Yenney’s efforts as key to being able to getting underway two weeks after refloating.

"I cannot say enough about Yenney’s leadership and competence," said Walker. "His innovative approach to leadership, unselfish dedication to duty, demonstrated resiliency and competence are exactly the traits we need to promote in our Sailors and leaders."

According to SNA, this award recognizes a chief petty officer for a consistent long-term demonstration of inspirational leadership, exceptional seamanship, and operational excellence in surface warfare skills and exemplary performance in organization and management, mission accomplishment, motivation and leadership, and mentoring.

The award is traditionally presented onboard Sirian’s first ship, USS Constitution. During his naval career, Sirian served in 37 successive tours on 20 different ships and seven shore stations, including on USS Constitution's World Cruise, as a gunnery instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy during the American Civil War, and in Japan and Hong Kong. He is the only Sailor to have served on Constitution on three separate tours of duty.

• Date Taken: 09.30.2022
• Date Posted: 09.30.2022 16:14
• Story ID: 430511
• Location: US