The world’s most famous fictional Top Gun has now earned real-life recognition as a decorated naval hero. Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s highest civilian honour, the Distinguished Public Service Award, for his “outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps” through Top Gun and other films.
The award was presented by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro during a ceremony at Longcross Studios near London, where Cruise, 62, is currently working.
Expressing his gratitude for the “extraordinary acknowledgement,” Cruise said, “I admire all of the servicemen and women. Something I hold very true is that to lead is to serve. I see that in the servicemen and women, and I know it to my core.”
The U.S. Navy commended Cruise for raising public awareness and appreciation for military personnel and their sacrifices. His iconic 1986 film, Top Gun, not only cemented his status as a global superstar but also sparked a surge in military enlistment, with recruitment tables set up in cinemas during its release.
The sequel, Top Gun: Maverick (2022), further enhanced this impact, with the Navy noting how it “brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated younger viewers’ interest in the skill sets and opportunities the Navy offers.”
Cruise was also recognised for his roles in other films that highlighted military life, including Born on the Fourth of July and A Few Good Men, as well as his celebrated Mission: Impossible series.
The ceremony included a medal and certificate, underscoring the significance of Cruise’s contribution to the armed forces’ image and recruitment efforts.
Cruise’s next big-screen appearance will be in Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning, set for release in May 2025.
