Los Angeles, Dec 18 (NationPress) The celebrated Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has been awarded the US Navy's highest civilian accolade for his significant contributions to the military through his cinematic work.

It was with the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun” that Cruise gained immense popularity, and the film's unprecedented success led to a surge in military enlistment.

The Distinguished Public Service Award was conferred upon Cruise during a ceremony held on Tuesday at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey, as reported by bb.com.

The 62-year-old actor expressed his appreciation for the remarkable recognition.

"I have great admiration for all the servicemen and women," Cruise stated, standing alongside US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who presented him with a certificate and medal.

Cruise emphasized that for him, “to lead is to serve.”

"I believe that a fundamental truth in life is that to lead is to serve, and I feel that deeply. I see that spirit in the servicemen and women," he added.

The Navy expressed gratitude towards the Hollywood star, stating that he had raised public awareness and appreciation for their highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while serving.

Cruise portrayed the pilot Maverick in Top Gun, a film centered around Cold War aviators, which was so impactful that the Navy even established recruitment booths in cinemas.

He later reprised his role as Lieutenant Pete Mitchell in the 2022 sequel “Top Gun: Maverick”, which the Navy claimed “reinvigorated” interest in military service among younger viewers.

On Tuesday, Del Toro remarked: “Tom Cruise has been a steadfast supporter of the men, women, and families of the Navy and Marine Corps for nearly four decades.”

Cruise also received accolades for his performances in notable action films such as “Born on the Fourth of July”, “A Few Good Men”, and the “Mission: Impossible” series.

While in Chertsey, Surrey, Cruise was working on his upcoming film “Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning”, scheduled for release in May 2025.

This prestigious civilian award has been previously given to notable figures like Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for their work on the World War II film “Saving Private Ryan”.