U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday made several high-profile ambassadorial postings, tapping career diplomats steeped in foreign policy experience — as well as political allies and aviation hero "Sully" Sullenberger.
Retired airline pilot C.B. ”Sully" Sullenberger, most famous for negotiating the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River with no fatalities, has been named to serve as U.S. representative on the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III is an American retired Air force Fighter pilot , Airline Pilot , and nominated diplomat. He has been honoured for his noted heroics from time to time, on various occasions.
Earlier, U.S. President George W. Bush had called Sullenberger to thank him for saving the lives of the passengers, as did then President-elect Barack Obama , who also invited him and the crew to join the presidential inauguration ceremony.
On January 16, 2009, the United state Senate passed a resolution recognizing and honoring Sullenberger, Skiles, the cabin crew, the passengers, and the first responders involved in Flight 1549's emergency landing.
On January 22, 2009, he and the rest of the crew of Flight 1549 were awarded a Masters Medal by the Guild of Air pilots and Air Navigators. A ceremony for Sullenberger was held on January 24, 2009, in Sullenberger's hometown of Danville, California, where he was presented with awards including Danville's "Key to the Town", and was named an honorary Danville police officer.
In a special February 2009 edition, the Tribune published "Heroism & Humility on the Hudson," covering Sullenberger and the Flight 1549 landing.
San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Chief Richard Price presented Captain Sullenberger with his district's highest award, the Medal of Valor, which has been given only a few times in the district's history.
Sullenberger, Skiles, and Flight 1549's cabin crew, Doreen Welsh, Sheila Dail, and Donna Dent, were honored with a standing ovation during the Super Bowl XLIII pre-game ceremony on February 1, 2009 .
Sullenberger was awarded with honorary lifetime membership in the Seaplane Pilots Association . In 2009, Sullenberger was awarded the Founders' Medal by The Air League .
