Tom Cruise has been offered with the US navy’s highest civilian award, for “boosting the force’s recruitment of pilots” because of his efficiency in High Gun.
The Hollywood star, who performed Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell within the hit movie, was offered with the Distinguished Public Service Award – given for acts of heroism or help – at a ceremony held on the Longcross Movie Studios in Chertsey, Surrey.
US navy secretary Carlos Del Toro mentioned the unique motion movie, a few younger naval aviator who trains on the pressure’s fighter weapons college, had “significantly increased” recruitment numbers since its launch in 1986.
Cruise, who’s a licensed plane pilot and is thought for performing his personal stunts, reprised his position within the long-awaited sequel, High Gun: Maverick, launched in 2022.
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High Gun: Maverick introduced the character again to screens after virtually 40 years. Pic: Paramount Footage
The sequel “brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated the minds of newer audience members”, Mr Del Toro mentioned.
The US navy secretary, who stopped on the studios on his strategy to go to US forces in Bahrain, gave the award to Cruise for his “exceptional and wide-ranging contributions made to the department of the navy from 1986 to 2023”.
Talking to an viewers of Hollywood professionals and US navy workers, he mentioned: “Tom Cruise has spent nearly four decades as an unwavering supporter of the men, women and families of the navy and marine corps.
“His devoted help to our sailors, marines and civilians by his efforts within the movie trade elevated public consciousness and appreciation for our extremely skilled personnel and the sacrifices they make whereas in uniform.”
‘Proud and overwhelmed’
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Tom Cruise was offered with the Distinguished Public Service Award by US navy secretary Carlos Del Toro
Carrying a darkish swimsuit and light-weight blue tie, Cruise mentioned after receiving the award: “In life, something that is very true to me is – to lead is to serve.
“I do know that to my core and I see that within the servicemen and ladies. I respect everybody’s dedication and it is a true honour to symbolize them.”
He added: “I am simply very proud and overwhelmed.”
Cruise said he would “proceed serving the nation to make this world a greater place”.
High Gun was an enormous field workplace success directed by the late Tony Scott, brother of Sir Ridley Scott, and likewise starred Val Kilmer, Kelly McGillis and Meg Ryan. The sequel was additionally a success, securing the largest ever opening weekend for a Tom Cruise movie.
Amongst these on the ceremony for Cruise was producer and director Christopher McQuarrie, who collaborated with the star on the most recent High Gun film and 4 instalments of the Mission Unattainable franchise.
The actor’s sister, Cass Capazorio, and Chris Diaz, chief of workers to the secretary of the US navy, additionally attended.
