Chesley Sullenberger, often known as "Sully," is a retired American airline pilot best known for his emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009. After striking a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, he successfully landed the plane on the Hudson River, saving all 155 passengers and crew members on board. Sullenberger was born on January 23, 1951, in Denison, Texas. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and served as a fighter pilot before becoming a commercial airline pilot. His actions during the emergency earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including the Airline Pilots Association's Superior Airmanship Award.