Tom Cruise is known for a host of movie roles, among them Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the Top Gun franchise. The films, which premiered in 1986 and 2022, respectively, did a lot to bolster interest in the US Navy, so it’s not surprising that the service chose to recognize the actor with its highest civilian honor: the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.
The medal and certificate were presented to the actor at a ceremony at the Longcross Film Studios, in Chertsey, Surrey, United Kingdom, by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. Also on hand was producer and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie, who has frequently collaborated with the 62-year-old Cruise.
A press release by the Navy states the decision to honor Cruise was made because “his efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for the Navy’s highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.” His work on the first Top Gun movie was noted, with the service crediting it for the surge of recruits it experienced in the 1980s and ’90s.
Outside of the franchise, Del Toro also cited other military-related features Cruise has starred in, including Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and A Few Good Men (1992).
“It’s an honor to present Tom Cruise with a Defense Public Service award for his decades of naval advocacy through many movies,” Del Toro said at the ceremony. “His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”
“I’m happy I have been able to be a source of inspiration to many of the sailors who serve today or have served in the past,” Cruise said of the honor. “The effort was not just on my end, but the cast and crew I get to work with on all our sets. They are what really bring the work to life.”
He added, “I admire all of the servicemen and women. I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women.”
Thanks to the success of Top Gun: Maverick and the awareness it brought to the Navy, Cruise had previously been named an Honorary Aviator, becoming the 36th such individual to receive the title.
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Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg had previously received the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award for their work on Saving Private Ryan (1998).