Tom Cruise has received the US Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award for his “outstanding contributions” to the military through his iconic screen roles.
The award, presented at Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey, recognizes the 62-year-old star’s impact on public awareness and appreciation of military service.
Cruise rose to global fame with his portrayal of pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, a film credited with boosting military enlistment.
His performance in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick further renewed interest in military careers among younger audiences.
Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Cruise stood beside US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who presented him with a certificate and medal.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said. “To lead is to serve, and I know that to my core. I see that in the servicemen and women.”
The Navy praised Cruise’s nearly four-decade-long support of its personnel and their families.
In addition to Top Gun, Cruise was celebrated for his roles in military-themed films such as Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, and the Mission: Impossible series.
Cruise is currently filming Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning, set for release in May 2025.
The Distinguished Public Service Award has previously been given to acclaimed filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for their work on Saving Private Ryan.
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