Tom Cruise was recently honored with a public service award by the U.S. Navy. Naturally, fans are now curious to know more about this new development in the 62-year-old actor’s life. So what was the award for and what is its significance?
Here’s everything you need to know.
Tom Cruise honored with public service award
Tom Cruise was recently awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award. The award was presented to him by the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro.
Cruise was honored with the award for his “dedication to the navy,” as per a US Navy press release. The Mission: Impossible star was “also recognized for his outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps.”
The Department of the Navy DPS Award is the highest honor Secretary Del Toro could bestow on Cruise, a civilian outside the military. “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 in a statement. “His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”
Cruise said that he was “happy” to “have been a source of inspiration” to all sailors currently working as well as those who have worked in the past. He shared the credit with “the cast and crew” of his films. “They are what really bring the work to life,” he added.
Cruise has been a staunch supporter of the US Navy and Marine Corps’ men, women, and families. Between 1986 and 2023, the actor has contributed considerably to the welfare of the Department of the Navy.
Moreover, there was reportedly an increase in the recruitment of Navy pilots during the late 80s and early 90s, following the release of Top Gun, where Cruise played the lead role of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. His iconic portrayal of Maverick led to him becoming the 36th Honorary Naval Aviator of the US Navy.
Additionally, Cruise also portrayed a Navy lawyer in A Few Good Men and a Marine Corps sergeant in Born on the Fourth of July.
