Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy's highest civilian honour for "outstanding contributions" to the military with his screen roles.
Cruise's lead role in the 1986 smash hit Top Gun shot him into celebrity status, and the film's record-breaking success spiked military enlistment.
The Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Cruise during a ceremony at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey.
The 62-year-old star expressed his gratitude for the "extraordinary acknowledgement" saying he admires all of the servicemen and women," while standing next to US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro who handed him a certificate and medal.
The Navy thanked the action hero, who it said had increased public awareness and appreciation for their highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.
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.
The Oscar nominated star reprised his role as Lieutenant Pete Mitchell in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which the Navy said "reinvigorated" military interest from younger audiences.
Cruise was also celebrated for his roles in action hits Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men and the Mission: Impossible series.
The prestigious civilian honour was previously awarded to Academy Award winners Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for their work in the World War II movie Saving Private Ryan.
[Source: BBC]
