Hollywood star Tom Cruise honoured with US navy's highest civilian award

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy’s highest civilian honour for his dedication to the navy.

The actor was awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) award, the highest honor the U.S. Secretary of the Navy can bestow on a civilian outside the Department of the Navy, as “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”.

He was also recognized for his outstanding contributions to the navy and Marine Corps.

The award was presented by the U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro on December 17 to the the U.S. Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator and staunch advocate for the U.S. Navy, Tom Cruise.

Top Gun Maverick, an American film, brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated younger viewers’ interest in the skill sets and opportunities the Navy provides.

The success of this portrayal led to Cruise being named the U.S. Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator.

“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,” said Cruise. “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.”

“It was an honor to present Tom Cruise with a Defense Public Service award for his decades of naval advocacy through many movies,” noted Secretary Del Toro. “His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”

The Navy thanked the action hero, who it said had made a wide range of contributions to the Department of the Navy from 1986 to 2023.

It also highlighted the impact of Cruise’s film Top Gun, which increased recruitment for Navy pilots in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“He has spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of the men, women, and families of the Navy and Marine Corps. His dedicated efforts in the film industry have significantly increased public awareness and appreciation for Navy personnel and their sacrifices. As a result, recruitment for Navy pilots surged in the late 1980s and early 1990s,” the Navy added in its statement.