Born Sept. 12, 1949, Chic Burlingame was one day short of celebrating his 52nd birthday when he died fighting hijackers who caused American Airlines Flight 77 to crash into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.
An aeronautical engineer and honors graduate from the Navy’s Top Gun fighter pilot school, he served eight years flying F-4 Phantom fighters and 17 years as a reservist. A Persian Gulf War veteran, he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Chic was eulogized as giving “his last breath in the struggle against terrorism” and is recognized as a “true American patriot who paid the ultimate sacrifice is one of our nation’s first warriors to perish in the war on terrorism.”
While at Anaheim High, Chic and his brother Mark, both graduates of Class of ’67, were active in numerous clubs and activities. A top scholar, Chic was a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Key Club as vice president, Science Club, Math Club, the Pep Band, Marching Band and First Concert Band under Ross Davis. He was VP of the Band Club.
Anaheim High alumni, students and staff are proud to call him a Colonist classmate and will never forget his sacrifice.
