LONDON (AP) — The world’s most well-known fictional High Gun is now a adorned naval hero.
Tom Cruise was awarded the U.S. Navy’s prime civilian honor on Tuesday for “outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps” with “Top Gun” and different movies.
Cruise, who has been working within the U.Okay., was given the Distinguished Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios close to London.
The 62-year-old actor stated he was proud to obtain the “extraordinary acknowledgement,” which got here with a medal and a certificates.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise stated. “I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women.”
The navy stated Cruise had “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.”
“Top Gun,” the smash hit 1986 film about Chilly Battle flying aces, made Cruise a star and drove a spike in navy enlistment. The Navy even arrange recruitment tables in theaters.
Curiosity was renewed with the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick,” through which Cruise’s character mentored a brand new era of elite aviators.
The navy stated the sequel “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 additionally recommended for his roles in “Born on the Fourth of July,” “A Few Good Men” and the “Mission: Impossible” films.
Cruise’s subsequent on-screen journey, “Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning,” is due for launch in Might 2025.
