U.S. Navy Bestows Tom Cruise Top Civilian Honor for This Reason
By Movieguide® Contributor
Tom Cruise is flying high after receiving the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest civilian honor that the Navy can give.
“It was an honor to present Tom Cruise with a Defense Public Service award for his decades of naval advocacy through many movies,” said U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”
Tom Cruise has starred in several military-based movies, such as A FEW GOOD MEN and BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, but TOP GUN and its 2022 sequel TOP GUN: MAVERICK, most notably, brought an increased interest in the Navy.
Naval recruitment increased 8% after the first film’s release in 1986, according to Military.com, while the Movieguide® Faith and Freedom Award-nominated sequel “brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated younger viewers’ interest in the skill sets and opportunities the Navy provides,” a Naval press release stated.
READ MORE: TOP GUN: MAVERICK REVIEW
“[Cruise] has spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of the men, women, and families of the Navy and Marine Corps,” the press release stated. “His dedicated efforts in the film industry have significantly increased public awareness and appreciation for Navy personnel and their sacrifices.”
In response to receiving the prestigious honor, Cruise acknowledged the women and men serving in the Navy, saying, “I admire all of the service men and women. I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that to lead is to serve…I know that to my core.”
“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 said. “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.”
The MISSION IMPOSSIBLE star was previously named, along with TOP GUN producer Jerry Bruckheimer, as Honorary Naval Aviators in 2020.
“In the history of motion pictures, there is not a more iconic aviation movie than the 1986 Paramount Pictures film TOP GUN. Its characters, dialogue and imagery are ingrained in the minds of an entire generation of Americans,” the award’s citation read. “The movie captured the hearts of millions, making a profound positive impact on recruiting for Naval Aviation,” and “significantly promoted and supported Naval Aviation and put aircraft carriers and naval aircraft into popular culture.”
The follow-up to TOP GUN: MAVERICK, which earned 1.496 billion globally, is in the works, but so far producers Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison have kept details of the third installment of the blockbuster franchise a secret.
READ MORE: TOP GUN 3 HAS A DATE. HERE’S EVERYTHING WE KNOW SO FAR