How Tom Cruise Earned the US Navy’s Highest Civilian Award

Tom Cruise has taken his Top Gun legacy to new heights by receiving the US Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award, the Navy’s highest civilian honor. 

US Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, presented the award to Cruise for his “outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps.” 

Decades of Naval Inspiration

Cruise’s jaw-dropping stunts in Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick were front and center when it came to this latest honor. After all, his portrayal of Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell has become legendary. But this award wasn’t just about the death-defying action sequences. Cruise has been a subtle yet powerful advocate for the Navy and Marine Corps for decades.

From his emotional performance in Born on the Fourth of July to his courtroom showdown in A Few Good Men, Cruise has consistently put a spotlight on service members and the sacrifices they make. Even the high-octane Mission: Impossible series has occasionally tipped its hat to themes of honor and duty.

Secretary Del Toro left no doubts about why Cruise deserved this recognition. “It was an honor to present Tom Cruise with a Defense Public Service award for his decades of naval advocacy through many movies,” Del Toro said. “His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”

Top Gun’s Real-Life Impact

When the original Top Gun hit theaters in 1986, the film dominated the box office but it also gave the Navy’s recruitment efforts a boost. Young moviegoers lined up to be like Maverick, sunglasses and all.

Fast forward to 2022 and Top Gun: Maverick reignited an interest in Navy aviation among a new generation of viewers. The Navy clearly took notice, crediting Cruise’s cinematic roles for its renewed appeal. 

Cruise, ever the team player, passed on the recognition to those behind the camera, saying, “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.” 

“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,” he added.

Not His First Naval Honor

But that wasn’t Cruise’s first naval honor. In 2020, Cruise and Top Gun producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, were named Honorary Naval Aviators during a ceremony at Paramount.

As Honorary Naval Aviators, Cruise and Bruckheimer were officially authorized to wear the Navy’s coveted “wings of gold.” Talk about blurring the lines between Hollywood and real life!

The naval awards Cruise has received cement his status as a cinematic icon and a true patriot. So, the next time you watch Maverick take to the skies, remember how such iconic scenes made a real-world impact on the Navy.