Charles Burlingame
Encyclopedia
Charles Frank "Chic" Burlingame III (September 12, 1949 – September 11, 2001) was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77
, the aircraft that was crashed by terrorists into the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 attacks
.
Burlingame was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and moved around a lot while growing up as a son of an active duty member of the United States Air Force
. He spent parts of his childhood in California
and England
. Burlingame graduated from Anaheim High School
in California.
Charles Burlingame graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy
in 1971. In the Navy, he flew F-4 Phantom jets, rising to the rank of captain. In 1979, Burlingame left active duty with the Navy and joined American Airlines
though, he remained in the Naval Reserves. He was an honor graduate of the Navy “Top Gun” school NAS Miramar. Burlingame volunteered to be activated during the Gulf War
. Burlingame also spent time working in The Pentagon
, while in the Naval Reserves.
Burlingame retired as a Navy Reserve Captain in 1996 and worked at American Airlines
. Burlingame was married to an American Airlines flight attendant, Sheri Burlingame.
, with First Officer David Charlebois, before it was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon. He would have turned 52 on September 12, 2001.
Burlingame was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery
. He was initially deemed ineligible for burial there due to his status as a reservist
deceased at an age younger than 60, but Burlingame was given a waiver and his case triggered reform of Arlington's burial criteria.
His daughter, Wendy Burlingame, died in late 2006 in a suspicious apartment fire.
At the National 9/11 Memorial, Burlingame is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-69.
American Airlines Flight 77
American Airlines Flight 77 was American Airlines' daily scheduled morning transcontinental flight, from Washington Dulles International Airport, in Dulles, Virginia to Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California...
, the aircraft that was crashed by terrorists into the Pentagon during the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
.
Burlingame was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and moved around a lot while growing up as a son of an active duty member of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. He spent parts of his childhood in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Burlingame graduated from Anaheim High School
Anaheim High School
Anaheim High School is a public, four-year high school in the city of Anaheim, California, United States. Anaheim High School was first established in 1898, which makes it the oldest of nine comprehensive high schools in the Anaheim Union High School District...
in California.
Charles Burlingame graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1971. In the Navy, he flew F-4 Phantom jets, rising to the rank of captain. In 1979, Burlingame left active duty with the Navy and joined American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
though, he remained in the Naval Reserves. He was an honor graduate of the Navy “Top Gun” school NAS Miramar. Burlingame volunteered to be activated during the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. Burlingame also spent time working in The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
, while in the Naval Reserves.
Burlingame retired as a Navy Reserve Captain in 1996 and worked at American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
. Burlingame was married to an American Airlines flight attendant, Sheri Burlingame.
September 11, 2001 attacks
Burlingame was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77American Airlines Flight 77
American Airlines Flight 77 was American Airlines' daily scheduled morning transcontinental flight, from Washington Dulles International Airport, in Dulles, Virginia to Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California...
, with First Officer David Charlebois, before it was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon. He would have turned 52 on September 12, 2001.
Burlingame was buried in the Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
. He was initially deemed ineligible for burial there due to his status as a reservist
Reservist
A reservist is a person who is a member of a military reserve force. They are otherwise civilians, and in peacetime have careers outside the military. Reservists usually go for training on an annual basis to refresh their skills. This person is usually a former active-duty member of the armed...
deceased at an age younger than 60, but Burlingame was given a waiver and his case triggered reform of Arlington's burial criteria.
His daughter, Wendy Burlingame, died in late 2006 in a suspicious apartment fire.
At the National 9/11 Memorial, Burlingame is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-69.