US Airways pilot Chesley Sullenberger III hailed as hero on Facebook

New York, Jan 17 (ANI): American commercial airline pilot Chesley Sullenberger III, who safely crash landed his jet into the Hudson River and saved the lives of 150 passengers and four crew, has become a hero on the internet also.

Sullenberger's feat received worldwide attention, and he was hailed as a hero in many circles, including the social networking site Facebook, with a fan page drawing 2,500 members, praising and thanking him for his efforts.

The crash had occurred on January 15, and the Facebook group dedicated to "Pilot of flight 1549, Chesley B.

'Sully' Sullenberger III", had already drawn the huge number of fans by January 16 morning.

"You truly are a hero Sully," the New York Daily News quoted New Yorker Corinne Campbell as having written on the wall of the social networking site.

"That afternoon, the people on that plane put their lives in your hands.

"You took that responsibility and saw to it that each and every one of them made it home to their families that day.

"You are a great man who truly deserves to be ckalled [sic] a hero," she added.

Sullenberger, 57, who kept on receiving praises and thanks, was branded 'Superman' by a member, and a real-life 'Top Gun' by another.

Some even thought Barack Obama's first duty when he becomes President on January 20 should be to give Sullenberger a medal.

"Mr. Obama should bring Sully, a true American hero, to his inauguration, and have his first act as president be, awarding him a presidential medal of freedom," wrote Rich Yaeger from Madison, W.I.

"I can't think of a more fitting recipient," he stated. (ANI)