Members of Naval District Washington family gathered at the Washington Navy Yard on Monday to honor a group of civilians and sailors for their bravery and service in the midst of last year’s mass shooting that traumatized the Navy.

Four officers and four enlisted sailors received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the service’s highest valor award for non-combat actions, for pursuing the gunman, helping personnel to shelter in place or evacuate, and providing medical care to wounded personnel on Sept. 16, 2013, as then-contractor Aaron Alexis went on a rampage inside the Naval Sea Systems Command headquarters, killing 12 civilians.