“Epoch Times, December 17, 2024 – The movie ‘Top Gun’ has been popular worldwide, and the protagonist of the film has now transitioned from a fictional character on screen to a distinguished naval hero in the United States.
According to the Associated Press, Hollywood star Tom Cruise was awarded the highest civilian honor from the U.S. Navy on Tuesday, December 17, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Navy and Marine Corps through ‘Top Gun’ and other films.
Cruise, who is 62 years old, has been working in the UK. He was presented with the ‘Distinguished Public Service Award’ by U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro at a ceremony held at Longcross Studios near London.
Expressing pride in receiving this ‘extraordinary recognition,’ Cruise mentioned that he admires all military personnel and sees leadership as service to others, a quality he recognizes in servicemen.
The Navy stated that Cruise has ‘elevated public understanding and appreciation for our well-trained personnel and the sacrifices they make during their service.’
The popular movie ‘Top Gun,’ released in 1986, tells the story of an ace pilot during the Cold War era. Cruise, who played the male lead in the film, rose to fame and significantly boosted enlistment numbers. The Navy even set up recruitment booths in cinemas.
In 2022, the sequel ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ was released to rave reviews. Cruise, portraying Maverick in the film, has served in the Navy for 36 years and is now mentoring a new generation of elite pilots.
The Navy mentioned that the sequel ‘evokes nostalgia for older audiences and reignites interest in the skills and opportunities the Navy can provide for younger audiences.’ Notably, Maverick’s jacket in the film features the flags of the Republic of China and Japan.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ had a successful debut, grossing $300 million within four days of release and earning about three-quarters of its profits. Despite being banned in China, the film, produced by Paramount Pictures and Skydance Media, still achieved significant success, signaling a potential shift in Hollywood’s relationship with China.
Sonny Bunch, a columnist from The Washington Post, pointed out that this could mark a turning point in Hollywood’s relations with China—the film, which praises American military prowess, succeeded even without being shown in China.
Cruise has also been acclaimed for his roles in films like ‘Born on the Fourth of July,’ ‘A Few Good Men,’ and ‘Mission: Impossible.’
Cruise’s next screen adventure, ‘Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning,’ is set to premiere in May 2025.”