Tom Cruise has received the U.S. Navy’s highest civilian honor for his role in “boosting the force’s recruitment of pilots” through his portrayal of Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun.
The Hollywood star was presented with the Distinguished Public Service Award, which recognizes acts of heroism or support, during a ceremony at Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey. Cruise, a licensed aircraft pilot known for performing his own stunts, reprised his iconic role in the much-anticipated sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, released in 2022.
Actor Tom Cruise is presented with the US Navy Distinguished Public Service Award by US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, during a ceremony at Long Cross Studios in Chertsey, Surrey. Pic: Ian West/PA
In a statement issued on December 17, the U.S. Navy noted, “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.”
The Navy also praised Cruise for his contributions, noting that recruitment for Navy pilots surged in the late 1980s and early 1990s following the success of Top Gun. In 2020, Cruise was named the U.S. Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator, an honor he shared with Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
