Tom Cruise became a decorated naval hero, simply for taking on military screen roles in the movies.
The U.S. Navy awarded Tom Cruise it’s highest civilian honor for “outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps” on Dec.17, simply for his roles in “Top Gun” and other films, according to The Associated Press (AP). This honor was given to the famous actor for boosting the military with his fictional depictions in screen roles — something he was paid quite handsomely to do, and a role that many others behind the scenes had carefully created, scripted and overseen.
His make-believe character role meant so much to the navy that they issued the Distinguished Public Service Award from U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to the famous actor during a ceremony at Longcross Studios in the U.K. By this standard, Margot Robbie should be next in line for an award for boosting sales of Barbie dolls.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JULY 03: Tom Cruise attends the Australian premiere of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One” on July 03, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage) Getty Images
The 62-year-old star did not actually provide any military service outside of the movie realm. To be clear, he didn’t leave his family behind. He didn’t represent his country or take any personal risks. He simply read a script and executed a role. Some may argue that there are a long line of actors that would qualify for this civilian honor based on this loose criteria that involved simply doing his job in Hollywood.
While Cruise’s role may have been a fictional one, his depiction did generate military support, and for that, he was awarded a medal and certificate. He addressed the honor by saying he was proud to be given the “extraordinary acknowledgement,” according to the AP.
“I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said.
“I 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.”
American actor Tom Cruise on the set of Top Gun, directed by Tony Scott. (Photo by Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
The navy said Cruise’s roles served as a great benefit, noting his depictions in the movies “increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform,” according to the AP.
The 1986 hit “Top Gun” increased enlistment to such a degree that the Navy set up recruitment tables in theaters to reel in those who expressed interest in providing service. The 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick,” which featured Cruise’s character mentoring aviators, sparked a similar surge.
The navy said the 2022 film “brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated the minds of newer audience members, which effectively targeted a younger audience’s interest into the skill sets and opportunities the Navy can provide,” according to the AP. (RELATED: Gina Gershon Describes Sex Scene With Tom Cruise That Took An Unexpected Turn)
Navy representatives also credited Cruise for his roles in “Born on the Forth of July,” “A Few Good Men” and the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which features the new release “Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning” in May 2025.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
