Charles Burlingame

Burlingame retired from the Navy Reserve as a captain in 1996 and continued to work for American Airlines.

Burlingame graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1971. In the Navy, upon receiving his naval aviator wings, he flew F-4 Phantom jets in Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103) on board USS Saratoga. He was an honor graduate of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) at NAS Miramar, California. In 1979, Burlingame left active duty with the Navy and transferred to the U.S. Navy Reserve, and started to work for American Airlines. He volunteered to be activated during the Gulf War. He also spent time working in The Pentagon, while in the Naval Reserve.

Charles Frank "Chic" Burlingame III (September 12, 1949 – September 11, 2001) was the Captain of American Airlines Flight 77, the aircraft that was crashed by terrorists into the Pentagon during the September 11 attacks.

Burlingame was born September 12, 1949, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to parents Charles F. "Chuck" Burlingame Jr. and Patricia Ann Burlingame (née Meyer). He moved frequently as a son of an active-duty member of the United States Air Force, spending parts of his childhood in California and England. Burlingame graduated from Anaheim High School, California, in 1967. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, where he achieved its highest rank, Eagle Scout.