The West Point Association of Graduates has canceled an award ceremony for actor Tom Hanks, who was scheduled to receive the prestigious Sylvanus Thayer Award on September 25. The decision, announced Friday via a West Point faculty email and verified by The Washington Post on Saturday, comes amid heightened political sensitivities and the academy’s stated desire to focus on its core mission of preparing future military officers.
Despite the cancellation, the award is still prominently listed on the West Point Association’s official website and on its Facebook page, fueling questions about the timing and communication of the decision. The page continues to describe Hanks’s contributions and the significance of the award, creating a rare public discrepancy between the academy’s plans and its online messaging.
The Thayer Award, named for the “Father of West Point,” is traditionally given to a U.S. citizen whose service and accomplishments exemplify the academy’s values. Hanks, a multiple-time Oscar winner, was being recognized not only for his entertainment career but also for his longstanding support of veterans and military families.
Representatives for West Point and the Association of Graduates did not provide additional details on why the ceremony was called off or whether a rescheduled date is being considered.
The decision comes as West Point navigates political pressures and public scrutiny, including its association with high-profile non-military figures like Hanks.The continued listing of the award on the website may reflect internal uncertainty around these policy shifts, or perhaps a lag in updating public communications.
