Navy submariner honored with highest non-combat award for saving people from a burning building

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Task & Purpose | April 13, 2025

Last fall, Gabriel Journey was on his way to the airport on an afternoon in Norfolk, Virginia, when he saw an apartment building catch fire. 

Journey, an Electronics Technician (nuclear) aboard the U.S. Navy fast-attack submarine the USS Albany, pulled over and rushed to help. After hearing that people were still in the building, he flagged down a passing police officer and then went to help evacuate others. Leaping into action, he got others to help lift him up onto a ledge to reach a higher apartment. With only limited space to stand, he was able to get to a woman and her son, helping them out of the window and lowering them to the people on the ground. It saved their lives as the fire spread through the building. 

For his heroism, Petty Officer 1st Class Gabriel Journey was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal on April 11. 

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1 thought on “Navy submariner honored with highest non-combat award for saving people from a burning building”

  1. I deny this young man all the honors he so richly deserves BUTMY SHIPMATE is equally deserving and since he passed his family should be made aware of his extraordinary actions. Reactor scram no power = you can’t drive to surface! = you die! Everyone knows the boats need power to drive to surface.Blow tanks to Parade Rest, use CO’s emergency air and Nautilus would have preceded Thresher and Scorpion! In my opinion Chief Dunn should have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor! Christopher J. Pauli, A-Gang  1959 -1962

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