HOLLYWOOD star Tom Cruise has been feted with the US Navy’s highest civilian honour for his “outstanding contributions” to the military with his work on screen. It was with the 1986’s blockbuster “Top Gun,” Cruise shot to fame, and the film’s record-breaking success spiked military enlistment. The Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Cruise during a ceremony on Tuesday at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey, reports bb.com. The 62-year-old star expressed his gratitude for the “extraordinary acknowledgement”. “I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said, while standing next to US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who handed him a certificate and medal. Cruise shared that for him “lead is to serve.”

 

“I know in life, something that is very true to me, is that to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women.” The Navy thanked the Hollywood star, who it said had “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform”. Tom Cruise starred as the pilot Maverick in Top Gun, a movie about Cold War flying aces, and it was so influential that the Navy even set up recruitment tables in theatres. He then reprised his role as Lieutenant Pete Mitchell in the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick.”