Actor Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s top civilian honor for “outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps.”
The award surrounds Cuise’s performance in “Top Gun.”
U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said Cruise “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform,” Sky News reported.
The sequel to “Top Gun” further “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.”
“Tom Cruise has spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of the men, women, and families of the Navy and Marine Corps,” Del Toro said. “His dedicated support to our sailors, marines and civilians through his efforts in the film industry increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.”
“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,” Cruise 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. I see that in the servicemen and women.”
“It’s a true honor to represent them,” he added.
The actor was also recognized for his roles in “Born on the Fourth of July,” “A Few Good Men,” and the “Mission: Impossible” film series.
