Tom Cruise honoured with US Navy's highest civilian award

Known for his remarkable performance in Top Gun, Mission Impossible and A Few Good Men, Hollywood's renowned actor Tom Cruise has now been bestowed with US Navy's highest civilian award.

According to a report by The People, Cruise was US Navy’s 36th Honorary Naval Aviator and was called a "staunch advocate of the Navy". He was honoured with the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service (DPS) Award by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.

This is the highest honour than can be bestowed upon a citizen outside of the Department of Navy.

In a press note released by the Navy, it states, "His efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for the Navy’s highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform."

"As a result, recruitment for Navy pilots surged in the late 1980s and early 1990s," it further said.

In 1986, Tom Cruise starred in the action-drama film Top Gun which sees Cruise in the role of Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a young naval aviator.

After the film was released, Cruise won accolades for his performance and was praised for his acting so much so that the film received a cult following. Much to the delight of Top Gun fans, a sequel of the film was finally released after 36 years— Top Gun: Maverick.

In his speech at the award function in England, Cruise said, "I know in life, something that is very true to me. To lead is to serve. And I know that to my core.”

The 62-year-old actor 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 effort was not just on my end, but the cast and crew I get to work with on all our sets. They are what really bring the work to life.”

Earlier Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks also received this award for their work on the 1998 World War II movie Saving Private Ryan.