Hollywood actor Tom Cruise was presented with the highest civilian award of the US Navy for his “outstanding contribution to the Navy and Marine Corps,” according to the Associated Press.
On December 17, during an official ceremony, the head of the US Navy, Carlos Del Toro, awarded the ACUSR a medal and a certificate for outstanding service to society. The Navy realized that Tom Cruise had significantly raised public awareness of the service of highly skilled military personnel and their sacrifices.
The department particularly noted the impact of the 1986 movie Top Gun, which caused such a surge in recruitment that the Navy even set up recruitment tables in movie theaters.
In addition, the Navy noted the sequel to the movie Top Gun: Maverick, in which he became a mentor to a new generation of elite aviators.
The Navy stated that the sequel “evoked” nostalgia in older audiences and revitalized the minds of new audience members, effectively bringing the skills and opportunities the Navy can provide to younger audiences.
Cruise has also been recognized for his roles in the films Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, and Mission Impossible.