Tom Cruise received the US Navy's highest civilian honor, the Distinguished Public Servant Award, on December 17, 2024, in recognition of his contributions to military awareness through his iconic film roles, particularly in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun.
At a ceremony in London, US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro presented the award, praising Cruise for his long-standing support of Navy and Marine Corps personnel. "Tom Cruise has been a steadfast supporter of the men, women, and families of the Navy for nearly four decades," Del Toro stated.
In his acceptance speech, Cruise expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying, "I admire all servicemen and women. To lead is to serve, and I see it in the servicemen and women." The Navy highlighted how Top Gun significantly boosted recruitment, even setting up recruiting tables in cinemas.
Additionally, Cruise's 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, was noted for rejuvenating interest in military service among younger audiences. The Navy acknowledged his impactful roles in films like Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, and the Mission: Impossible series, cementing his status as a cultural ambassador for military service.