Tom Cruise receives Public Service Award, honoring an inspiring career

Global star Tom Cruise received the Distinguished Public Service Award (DPS Award) from US Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro, during a ceremony held at Longcross Film Studios in England.

The highest civilian honor bestowed by the Secretary of the Navy, the award recognizes his efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of Navy personnel through his film work. Most notably, “Top Gun” (1986) and “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022) have highlighted the world of naval aviation and inspired generations to join the military.

Tom Cruise's Speech: Appreciation for the Navy and Teamwork In his speech at the ceremony, Tom Cruise expressed his pride in this honor and his gratitude to the team who shared his successes. He said: “I have admiration for all the men and women who serve.

“Leadership to me means service, and I see that in the Navy.” These words reflect Cruise’s commitment to providing an authentic and inspiring portrayal of military service, evident in his film roles as a naval aviator in “Top Gun” and a Marine in “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989).

A well-deserved tribute to an influential cinematic career. The Distinguished Public Service Award is not Cruise’s first Navy honor, having been named an Honorary Naval Aviator in 2020. Cruise joins a list of notable recipients of the award, including director Steven Spielberg and actor Tom Hanks for “Saving Private Ryan.” Cruise’s honor is the culmination of a career that has inspired generations of Navy personnel and promoted the value of public service through the power of cinema.