The US Military Academy will honour the man who portrayed Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump when it gives actor Gary Sinise its annual Thayer Award.
Sinise, also known for his role in the TV show CSI: New York, will receive the award at West Point on October 22. The award is named after a former West Point superintendent and is given to citizens who serve the national interest.
West Point cited Sinise’s decades of advocacy for service members, including his work for the Disabled American Veterans organisation. Sinise also performs for troops as part of the Lt Dan Band, named after the hard-nosed officer who befriends Forrest Gump.
Past recipients of the Thayer Award include Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur, Bob Hope, Neil Armstrong, Tom Brokaw and Colin Powell.
