Why was Tom Hanks dropped from West Point Awards ceremony? What we know about scrapped Outstanding citizen honor

Tom Hanks is to be awarded the Sylvanus Thayer Award, the highest civilian distinction bestowed by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The award is traditionally accompanied by a parade and dinner along with graduates and cadets. However, the West Point Association of Graduates has abruptly canceled the official ceremony and parade scheduled for September 25.

In an internal email, the alumni group's president and CEO, Mark Bieger, allegedly clarified that the Army needs to concentrate on its "core mission of preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win."

Bieger wrote:

“This decision allows the Academy to continue its focus on its core mission of preparing cadets to lead, fight, and win as officers in the world’s most lethal force, the United States Army.”

Technically, Tom Hanks will still receive the prize but he will not be honoured with the customary public celebration.

The Sylvanus Tayer Ward was established in 1958 to recognize a citizen who best embodies the principles of honor, duty, and nation. The honor has been given to many notable people throughout the years, such as Henry Kissinger, Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope, and, most recently, former President Barack Obama.

In the month of June, Tom Hanks was praised as the 2025 recipient by West Point praising his support for soldiers and caregivers through the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, his contributions to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, and his role as a national spokesperson for the World War II Memorial. Tom Hanks' roles in Greyhound (2020), Forrest Gump (1994) and Saving Private Ryan (1998) have also influenced how American servicemen are represented in popular culture.

West Point Association of Graduates board chairman Robert A. McDonald in the June statement, said:

"Tom Hanks has done more for the positive portrayal of the American service member, more for the caring of the American veteran, their caregivers and their family, and more for the American space program and all branches of government than many other Americans."

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Political tensions and timing

The Trump administration, which has prioritized a reversal of diversity measures throughout government institutions, has started implementing reforms at West Point. The school canceled its sociology major, discontinued racial and gender-focused history seminars, and disbanded student organizations for women and minority cadets earlier this year.

More recently, a painting of Confederate General Robert E. Lee that had been taken down in accordance with Pentagon racial justice orders was put back in the school library.

After the painting was put back, Rebecca Hodson, the Army’s communications director, said in a prepared statement:

“At West Point, the United States Military Academy is prepared to restore historical names, artifacts, and assets to their original form and place. Under this administration, we honor our history and learn from it — we don’t erase it.”

At the same time, legislation to reinstate the words "Duty, Honor, Country" in West Point's official mission statement has been championed by Republican senators, notably Senators Ted Cruz and Katie Britt.

Senator Cruz said in a statement:

"For centuries, the United States Army has set the global standard for military excellence because its leaders embrace a lifetime of selfless service and embody the values of 'Duty, Honor, Country. West Point's removal of these core values from its mission statement risks eroding the foundation of American military leadership."

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Tom Hanks' political profile

As a longtime supporter of Democrats, Tom Hanks publicly endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and Barack Obama in 2008. After Biden won, he also presented the first-ever Celebrating America special. At the Rome Film Festival in 2016, Hanks referred to Trump as a “self-involved gas bag.” His name is often listed among Hollywood personalities who have expressed disapproval of the current president.

More recently, in February 2025, Tom Hanks was criticized for reprising the role of "Doug," a Trump-supporting role, in a Saturday Night Live skit. While some found it funny, others, like Meghan McCain, accused Hanks of making fun of regular Americans.

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Rare precedent

The award started in 1958, the Sylvanus Thayer Award which is the most highly valued award given to a civilian, is getting scrapped off this year, which is rare. According to retired Brig. Gen. Ty Seidule, professor emeritus at West Point, who wrote to NPR in an email:

"The award isn't a heavy lift. It's a parade and a dinner. Cadets love to rub elbows with some of America's greatest citizens."

The award, which has been canceled only twice, once in 1979 when author, editor and former ambassador Clare Boothe Luce was to be awarded but due to unexpected snowfall it was canceled and in 2001 for U.S. senator Daniel Inouye, a Hawaii Democrat, because of the events of September 11, 2001.

The award winners over the years have come from all walks of American life and from both political parties, according to Seidule. He continued:

"West Point is a staunchly apolitical institution. I feel for everyone at West Point trying to navigate an administration whose decisions are capricious and cruel."

The controversy that Tom Hanks' ceremony was called off for West Point to concentrate on its military objectives is something that the retired Brig. Gen. believes:

"West Point is capable of focusing on the Secretary of Defense priorities and still having a parade and dinner."

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As it stands, Tom Hanks will still receive the award, but without the traditional ceremony that usually happens.

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