Hollywood star Tom Cruise honored with Department of Navy’s DPS award

The Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award was given to Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.

According to People, it is the highest honor that can be given to a citizen who is not employed by the Navy and is given by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.

Cruise directed and produced 2022’s box office hit Top Gun: Maverick after starring in the action-packed film Top Gun (1986) about navy aviators.

“Brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated younger viewers’ interest in the skill sets and opportunities the Navy provides,” the press release reads about the Joseph Kosinski-directed follow-up. “The success of this portrayal led to Cruise being named the U.S. Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator,” said People.

At a ceremony held at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey, England, Cruise was presented with the prize.

In a lecture, he said, “I know in life, something that is very true to me,” “To serve is to lead. And I am very aware of it. Cruise thanked the “extraordinary acknowledgement” and praised “the servicemen and women” around him.

In the press release, the Oscar nominee said, “I’m happy I have been able to be a source of inspiration to many of the sailors who serve today or have served in the past.” “The actors and staff I get to work with on all of our sets put in just as much effort as I did. The art really comes to life because of them.

“It was an honour to present Tom Cruise with a Defense Public Service award for his decades of naval advocacy through many movies,” Del Toro stated. He continued, “His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”

The Navy has previously awarded the Distinguished Public Service award to other Hollywood icons, including Cruise. According to People, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks were also honored for their contributions to the World War II film Saving Private Ryan, which was released in 1998.

The 2022 action drama “Top Gun: Maverick” was written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Joseph Kosinski. It is a follow-up to Top Gun, which came out in 1986. Tom Cruise returned to the lead role of Maverick, the naval pilot. Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Glen Powell, Jon Hamm, Monica Barbaro, Ed Harris, Lewis Pullman, and Val Kilmer, who plays Iceman again, are also featured.

According to People, producer Jerry Bruckheimer stated in March that Cruise is working on a Top Gun 3.

The ace star will appear in The Final Reckoning, the eighth installment of the action series, which opens in theaters on May 23, 2025.