Washington [US], December 18 : Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise has been awarded the prestigious Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award, the highest civilian honor that can be conferred upon someone outside the Department of the Navy. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro presented the award to Cruise during a ceremony at Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey, England.
Cruise’s association with the Navy began with his iconic role as a naval aviator in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun. His 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, reignited interest in naval aviation, inspiring both older audiences and younger generations about the opportunities the Navy offers. Due to his influential portrayal, Cruise was also named the U.S. Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator.
In his acceptance speech, Cruise expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying, “To lead is to serve. And I know that to my core.” He thanked his fellow servicemen and women, acknowledging that his work on Top Gun was a collective effort, with the cast and crew bringing the vision to life. “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,” he added.
Secretary Del Toro honored Cruise for his decades-long advocacy of the Navy through his films, noting that Cruise’s work has motivated generations to join the Navy and Marine Corps.
Cruise joins the ranks of other Hollywood legends, including Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who have also received the Distinguished Public Service Award, for their contributions to the 1998 World War II film Saving Private Ryan.
Top Gun: Maverick was a massive success, starring Cruise alongside Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, and others. The actor is reportedly developing Top Gun 3, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer confirming its progress earlier this year. Cruise will also return in the action-packed Mission: Impossible franchise, with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning scheduled for release on May 23, 2025.