West Point Alumni Cancel Tom Hanks Award Ceremony to Prioritize Military Training

The West Point Association of Graduates canceled the award ceremony honoring actor and veterans advocate Tom Hanks with the Sylvanus Thayer Award, citing a renewed focus on the academy's core mission of preparing cadets to lead and fight as officers in the U.S. Army. The cancellation was announced in an email by retired Col. Mark Bieger, coinciding with President Donald Trump's executive order renaming the Department of Defense to the Department of War. Hanks had been selected for the prestigious civilian award recognizing outstanding citizens who embody West Point's values of duty, honor, and country, and was praised for his portrayals of service members and support for veterans. The move has raised questions about potential political motivations, especially given Hanks' known support for Democratic candidates and his criticism of Trump. Despite the cancellation, it remains unclear if Hanks will receive the honor in another format or at a later date. West Point officials have not commented on future plans for the award presentation.