The 62-year-old actor received the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award. Photo / Getty Images
The 62-year-old actor received the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award. Photo / Getty Images
The actor is recognised for the impact the two films had in improving the American military’s image and aiding recruitment.
Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy’s most prestigious civilian accolade in recognition for the work his Top Gun films did to boost the military.
The 62-year-old actor received the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, given to whose who carry out “outstanding” acts of “valour or heroism”.
He was pictured beaming next to a set of medals presented to him by Carlos Del Toro, secretary of the US Navy, at Long Cross Studios in Chertsey, Surrey on Tuesday.
Cruise with the set of medals presented to him by Carlos Del Toro. Photo / Getty Images
Cruise, who is filming the latest Mission Impossible movie at the studio, said he was proud to receive the “extraordinary acknowledgement” and dedicated the award to all those involved in the production of the two Top Gun films.
“I accept this on behalf of not just myself but our entire cast, our crew, our writers, directors, the studios in Hollywood who are so dedicated to helping,” he said.
“I admire all of the servicemen 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,” he added.
The Navy said Top Gun: Maverick had brought nostalgia to older audiences and invigorated newer audience members.
In a statement, the Navy said Top Gun: Maverick, the 2022 sequel, had “brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated the minds of newer audience members, which effectively targeted a younger audience’s interest into the skill-sets and opportunities the Navy can provide”.
Cruise was awarded the honorary title of naval aviator in 2020 alongside Top Gun producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
Released in May 2022, the second film took US$1.46 billion (£1.18b or $2.54b) worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of the year.
“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 Navy said in a statement at the time.
According to the Navy, 1986's Top Gun significantly promoted and supported naval aviation recruitment.
“The movie captured the hearts of millions, making a profound positive impact on recruiting for naval aviation,” it added.
The Navy said the 1986 original had “significantly promoted and supported naval aviation and put aircraft carriers and naval aircraft into popular culture”.
After the film’s release, there was an 8% increase in the number of recruits joining the Navy.
The Navy Distinguished Public Service Award has previously been given to Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, an Academy Award-winning director and actor respectively, for their work on WWII blockbuster Saving Private Ryan.
