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West Point Alumni Cancel Tom Hanks Thayer Award Ceremony Over Combat Readiness Focus

Leaders cited a renewed training focus, leaving whether Hanks still receives the honor unresolved.

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Tom Hanks was set to receive an award at West Point, but the ceremony has now been canceled.

Overview

  • Retired Col. Mark Bieger told faculty the Sept. 25 ceremony would not be held, saying the move keeps the academy focused on preparing cadets to lead, fight and win.
  • The association did not clarify if Tom Hanks will still be presented the Sylvanus Thayer Award at another time or if the honor was withdrawn.
  • Public listings initially continued to name Hanks as the 2025 recipient, creating a discrepancy as West Point and Hanks’ representatives offered no immediate comment.
  • The announcement came the same day President Trump signed an order to rebrand the Department of Defense as the Department of War, a change that would require Congress for a formal renaming.
  • The decision drew political attention, including a post from Donald Trump Jr., and follows broader administration directives affecting service academies such as DEI rollbacks and curriculum reviews.