Notable recipients include Joe Rosenthal, Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, known for the iconic photo, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima.

[4] Cinematographer Christopher Jackson received the award for rescuing Marine Corps Sgt Courtney Rauch from a burning Humvee in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan in August 2008.

MajGen Paul Lefebvre presented Jackson with the award January 24, 2009, at Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq.

[6][7] The late former Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa) received the award in 2009 for his “courageous leadership, vision, and loyalty to the men and women of the Department of the Navy."

Bunch was honored for his timeless devotion and support of US Navy & US Marines returning from combat from 2005 to present day.

Cruise was honored for “outstanding contributions to the Navy and the Marine Corps” with Top Gun and other films.