London The most well-known fictional character in the world, Top Gun, is now a decorated navy hero.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps through Top Gun and other films, Tom Cruise received the U.S. Navy’s highest civilian medal on Tuesday.
In a ceremony at Longcross Studios, close to London, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro presented Cruise, who has been employed in the United Kingdom, with the Distinguished Public Service Award.
The 62-year-old actor expressed his pride at being awarded the remarkable recognition, which included a diploma and a medal.
Cruise remarked, “I admire all of the servicemen and women.” To lead is to serve, and I know this to be a very accurate statement in life. And I am deeply aware of that. And I observe that in the military personnel.
Cruise, according to the navy, has raised public awareness and admiration of our highly skilled military and the sacrifices they make while serving.
The 1986 blockbuster film Top Gun, which followed Cold War flying aces, made Cruise famous and contributed to a surge in military recruitment. Theaters even had recruitment tables put up by the Navy.
The 2022 follow-up Top Gun: Maverick, in which Cruise’s persona trained a new generation of professional pilots, reignited interest.
According to the Navy, the sequel successfully piqued younger audiences’ interest in the prospects and skill sets the Navy can offer by bringing back fond memories for older audiences and stimulating the brains of younger ones.
Additionally, Cruise received praise for his performances in the films Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, and Mission: Impossible.
Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Cruise’s upcoming on-screen adventure, is scheduled for release in May 2025.
The Associated Press
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!