Background
Burlingame was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota and moved frequently as a son of an active duty member of the United States Air Force.
Burlingame was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota and moved frequently as a son of an active duty member of the United States Air Force.
Burlingame graduated from Anaheim High School, California in 1967. Charles Burlingame graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States. Naval Academy in 1971.
He spent parts of his childhood in California and England. In the Navy, he flew F-4 Phantom jets in Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103) aboard the United States Ship Saratoga, rising to the rank of Captain. He was an honor graduate of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) aboard National Academy of Sciences, USA Miramar, California.
In 1979, Burlingame left active duty with the Navy and joined American Airlines, though he remained in the United States. Naval Reserve.
Burlingame volunteered to be activated during the Gulf War. Burlingame also spent time working in The Pentagon, while in the Naval Reserve.
He was awarded the Defense Superior Service Meda 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.
They lived in Oak Hill, Virginia. Burlingame was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77, with First Officer David Charlebois, before it was hijacked and flown into the Pentagon. He would have turned 52 the day after the incident.
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. At the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Burlingame is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel South-69.