SECNAV Del Toro Presents Distinguished Public Service Award to Tom Cruise > United States Navy > display press releases

LONDON — Today, Tom Cruise, the U.S. Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator and stalwart advocate for the U.S. Navy, was awarded the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award for his dedication to the Navy. His efforts in the motion picture industry have increased public awareness and appreciation of the Navy’s highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform. He was also recognized for his outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps. Awarded by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, the DPS award is the highest honor the Secretary can bestow on a civilian outside the Department of the Navy.

“It was an honor to present Tom Cruise with a Defense Public Service Award for his decades of naval advocacy through many films,” said Secretary Del Toro. “His work has inspired generations to serve in our Navy and Marine Corps.”

Cruise has made a wide range of contributions to the Department of the Navy from 1986 to 2023. He has spent nearly four decades as a steadfast supporter of the men, women and families of the Navy and Marine Corps. His dedicated efforts in the film industry have significantly increased public awareness and appreciation of Navy personnel and their sacrifices. As a result, the recruitment of naval pilots increased in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“I am glad that I have been able to be a source of inspiration to many of the sailors who are serving today or have served in the past,” Cruise said. “The effort was not only on my end, but the cast and crew I get to work with on all our sets. They are the ones who really bring the work to life.”

Top Gun: Maverick brought nostalgia to older audiences and rekindled younger viewers’ interest in the skills and capabilities offered by the Navy. The success of this portrayal led to Cruise being named the United States Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator.