Tom Cruise honored by the U.S. Navy for his iconic 'Top Gun' portrayal, cementing his status as a Hollywood legend.
beat sheet
Cruise awarded the Navy's prestigious Distinguished Public Service Award, the military's highest civilian honor, for his 'outstanding contributions' to the Navy and Marine Corps through the 'Top Gun' franchise.
The award recognizes Cruise's role in boosting recruitment and public perception of the Navy, with the franchise estimated to have generated over $2 billion in recruitment value for the military.