Tom Burnett | |
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Born | Thomas Edward Burnett Jr. May 29, 1963 Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. |
Died | September 11, 2001 Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. | (aged 38)
Cause of death | Plane crash during the September 11 attacks |
Resting place | Fort Snelling National Cemetery[1] |
Education | Thomas Jefferson Senior High School |
Alma mater | Saint John's University University of Minnesota (BS) Pepperdine University (MBA) |
Employer | Thoratec Corporation |
Known for | Leading revolt on United 93 in the September 11 attacks |
Spouse |
Deena Burchfield (m. 1992) |
Children | 4 |
Thomas Edward Burnett Jr.[2] (May 29, 1963 – September 11, 2001) was an American who was the vice-president and chief operating officer of Thoratec Corporation, a medical devices company based in Pleasanton, California; he resided in nearby San Ramon, California.[3] On September 11, 2001, Burnett was a passenger on board United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked as part of the September 11 attacks. He, along with other passengers, formed the plan to retake the plane from the hijackers, and led the effort that resulted in the crash of the plane into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, thwarting the plan of the hijackers to crash the plane into a building in Washington, D.C., most likely either the U.S. Capitol Building or the White House.