Official award announcements and ceremonies

Tom Cruise Receives U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award for 'Top Gun' and 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Dec 17, 2024, 02:00 PM

Tom Cruise, a 62-year-old actor, has been awarded the U.S. Navy's top civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Service Award, for his contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps through his roles in films such as 'Top Gun' and its sequel 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The award was presented by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios near London. The Navy recognized Cruise for increasing public awareness and appreciation of its personnel and their sacrifices. The original 'Top Gun' film in 1986, about Cold War flying aces, significantly boosted military enlistment, while the 2022 sequel, in which Cruise's character mentored a new generation of elite aviators, targeted a younger audience, reinvigorating interest in naval careers. Cruise's other notable films mentioned include 'Born on the Fourth of July,' 'A Few Good Men,' and the 'Mission: Impossible' series. His next film, 'Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning,' is scheduled for release in May 2025.