LONDON (AP) 鈥� The world鈥檚 most famous fictional Top Gun is now a decorated naval hero.
was awarded the U.S. Navy鈥檚 top civilian honor on Tuesday for 鈥渙utstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps鈥� with .
Cruise, who has been working in the U.K., was given the Distinguished Public Service Award by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in a ceremony at Longcross Studios near London.
The 62-year-old actor said he was proud to receive the 鈥渆xtraordinary acknowledgement,鈥� which came with a medal and a certificate.
鈥淚 admire all of the servicemen and women,鈥� Cruise said. 鈥淚 know in life, something that is very true to me, is that is to lead is to serve. And I know that to my core. And I see that in the servicemen and women.鈥�
The navy said Cruise had 鈥渋ncreased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.鈥�
鈥淭op Gun,鈥� the smash hit 1986 movie about Cold War flying aces, made Cruise a star and drove a spike in military enlistment. The Navy even set up recruitment tables in theaters.
Interest was renewed with the 2022 sequel 鈥淭op Gun: Maverick,鈥� in which Cruise鈥檚 character mentored a new generation of elite aviators.
The navy said the sequel 鈥渂rought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated the minds of newer audience members, which effectively targeted a younger audience鈥檚 interest into the skill sets and opportunities the Navy can provide.鈥�
Cruise was also commended for his roles in 鈥淏orn on the Fourth of July,鈥� 鈥淎 Few Good Men鈥� and the 鈥淢ission: Impossible鈥� movies.
Cruise鈥檚 next on-screen adventure, 鈥淢ission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning,鈥� is in May 2025.
The Associated Press
