Tom Cruise awarded US Navy honour for his role in Top Gun

Tom Cruise poses with the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award received from The United States Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, at the Longcross South Studios, in Runnymede, Surrey. Credit: AP

Tom Cruise has landed another medal to add to his trophy cabinet - this time, from the US Navy.

The Hollywood actor was awarded the US Navy's top civilian honour for his "outstanding contributions" to the service through his role as Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the film Top Gun.

US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, who gave him the award, said Cruise's role in the 1986 action film "significantly increased" the force's recruitment numbers.

The movie features Cruise as a young naval aviator who trains at the US Navy's fighter weapons school, known as Top Gun. The blockbuster drove a spike in military enlistment, with the navy even setting up recruitment tables in some theatres.

Cruise was presented with the Distinguished Public Service award, which is given to civilians for acts of heroism or support for the navy, on Tuesday at the Longcross Film Studios in Surrey.

Tom Cruise received the award from US Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro. Credit: AP

Mr Del Toro told the audience of Hollywood professionals and US navy staff that Cruise had spent nearly four decades "as an unwavering supporter of the men, women and families of the navy marine corps".

"His dedicated support to sailors, marines and civilians through his efforts in the film industry increased public awareness and appreciation for our highly trained personnel and the sacrifices they make while in uniform," he added.

Accepting the honour, Cruise told the audience: "In life, something that is very true to me is, to lead is to serve.

"I know that to my core and I see that in the servicemen and women. I appreciate everyone's dedication and it's a true honour to represent them."

He said he was "proud and overwhelmed" to receive the "extraordinary acknowledgement."

The award consisted of a medal alongside a certificate from the US navy. Credit: AP

Cruise was also commended for his roles in Born On The Fourth of July; A Few Good Men; and the latest two instalments of Mission Impossible.

Top Gun's sequel, Top Gun: Maverick - in which Cruise's character mentors a new generation of aviators - was also mentioned.

Mr Del Toro said the sequel "brought nostalgia to older audiences and reinvigorated the minds of newer audience members, which effectively targeted a younger audience's interest into the skill sets and opportunities the navy can provide."

Have you heard The Trapped? Listen as Daniel Hewitt exposes the UK's dirty secret