The films, which premiered in 1986 and 2022, respectively, did a lot to bolster interest in the US Navy, so it’s not surprising that the service chose to recognize the actor with its highest civilian honor: the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award. A press release by the Navy states the decision to honor Cruise was made because “his efforts in the film industry have increased public awareness and appreciation for the Navy’s highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform.” Academy Award-winning actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg had previously received the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award for their work on Saving Private Ryan (1998).