Hollywood star Tom Cruise has received the US Navy’s highest civilian honor for his “outstanding contributions” to the military through his work on screen.

It was with the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun that Cruise shot to fame, with the film’s record-breaking success boosting military enlistment.

The Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Cruise on Tuesday at the Longcross Film Studios in Chertsey, Surrey, reports BBC.com.

The 61-year-old star expressed his gratitude for the “extraordinary acknowledgment.” “I admire all of the servicemen and women,” Cruise said, standing beside US Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who handed him the certificate and medal.

Cruise emphasized his belief that “to lead is to serve,” adding, “I know this to my core, and I see that in the servicemen and women.”

The Navy credited Cruise with increasing public awareness and appreciation for the sacrifices made by its highly trained personnel. His role as pilot Maverick in Top Gun, a movie about Cold War flying aces, was so influential that the Navy even set up recruitment tables in theaters to capitalize on its popularity.

Cruise reprised his role as Lieutenant Pete Mitchell in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which the Navy said “reinvigorated” interest in the military among younger audiences.

On Tuesday, Del Toro added, “Tom Cruise has spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of the men, women, and families of the Navy and Marine Corps.”

Cruise was also celebrated for his roles in other iconic films, including Born on the Fourth of July, A Few Good Men, and the Mission: Impossible series. He is currently in Chertsey, Surrey, working on his next film, Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning, set for release in May 2025.

The prestigious civilian honor has previously been awarded to luminaries such as Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks for their work on the World War II epic Saving Private Ryan.

(Inputs from IANS)