A submariner of the USS Albany, Electrician Technician 1st Class Gabriel Journey, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for saving the lives of a woman and her son who were trapped in a burning apartment building.

Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces, presented Journey with the award during the 125th Submarine Birthday Ball at the Virginia Beach Convention Center in Virginia on Friday. The award was presented in front of Vice Adm. Rob Gaucher, commander, Submarine Force, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea and 1,500 fellow submariners.

“In the Navy and Submarine Force, we constantly strive to build warfighters ready for combat,” Gaucher said. “Petty Officer Journey truly exemplified the exact warfighting spirit we want through his selfless service, quick thinking and a willingness to act in the face of danger.”

The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration, awarded to those who display heroism in saving or attempting to save a life. Journey’s father and grandfather, his spouse and Cynthia Booker — the woman he rescued — attended at the ceremony that took place as part of a celebration marking 125 years of submarine service and the Navy’s 250th anniversary. Booker’s son died from cancer, unrelated to the fire, earlier this year.

“Receiving this award has been very humbling,” Journey said. “I told Ms. Booker I felt bad because this award wouldn’t have been possible without her suffering, but she told me ‘I’m not suffering, God chose to spare my life through you.’ Hearing that made me thankful. Thankful that I was there in the right place at the right time, with the right skillset to help.”

A viral video taken by a bystander at the scene played at the ball, and showed Journey’s heroic actions that day he saved Booker and her son’s lives.

On Nov. 12, 2024, Journey was driving in Norfolk, Va., and noticed thick smoke from the Mira Mar Apartment Building on Sewells Point. He instinctively pulled over to investigate the scene where a dozen people were gathered below an apartment window where Booker and her son were trapped, desperately trying to find a way out.

With no time to waste and assistance from bystanders, Journey climbed to the apartment’s ledge and pulled Booker and her son out through the window, leading them to safety just minutes before the fire consumed the upper level.

“I looked out the window where a bunch of guys were telling me to jump, but they didn’t look prepared to catch me,” Booker said. “Then Journey scaled up the damn building. I still don’t know how he got up there, but he looked at me and said, ‘I got you,’ and all my fears were gone.”

Journey was also previously honored by the City of Norfolk with the Life Saving Award and a Letter of Commendation from the mayor.

“Our [A sailor’s] mentality has to be to put others first, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to do that for someone — to be able to use my skills to aid someone truly in need,” he said.