Chesley Sullenberger

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Man of Honor: 
Long before he became a hero, Sully dedicated himself to the mission, day in, day out.

January 15, 2009: US Airways Flight 1549 from New York's LaGuardia airport strikes a flock of geese on takeoff. Pilot Chesley Sullenberger ("Sully") successful ditches the plane in the Hudson River, saving the lives of 155 people on board.

For this, Sullenberger deservedly became a hero. Soon we realized that his clutch piloting and grace under pressure represented merlely the culmination of a career dedicated to the science, art and professionalism of flying. Beginning with his graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy to his years flying the F-4 Phantom fighter plane to his 30 years as a commercial pilot, Sully quietly pursued excellence in his chosen field.  He dedicated himself to constant improvement.  On that fateful day in 2009, he simply did the job that he had trained for over a lifetime.

Sully is a Man of Honor for his steady dedication over a lifetime as much as for his heroics over the Hudson.

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