John Glenn

Mercury 6 - Patch

STS-95 Patch

F-86 'MiG Mad Marine'

John Glenn on Jet (cropped)

John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was a distinguished American aviator, engineer, astronaut, and United States Senator from Ohio. He is best known for becoming the first American to orbit the Earth, a feat he accomplished on February 20, 1962, as part of NASA's Mercury-Atlas 6 mission aboard the spacecraft Friendship 7. Glenn's pioneering spaceflight marked a significant milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, and he emerged as a national hero.

Early Life and Military Service

John Glenn was born in Cambridge, Ohio, and raised in New Concord, Ohio. He attended Muskingum College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering. Glenn's passion for flying led him to enlist in the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet in 1942. During World War II, he transferred to the Marine Corps and flew 59 combat missions in the Pacific theater. He continued his military service during the Korean War, flying 90 combat missions. For his valor, Glenn received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Flying Cross six times.

NASA Career

In 1959, Glenn was selected as one of the Mercury Seven, NASA's first group of astronauts. His historic flight on Friendship 7 made him the third American in space and the first to orbit Earth. The mission's success was a major achievement for the United States, demonstrating its capabilities in manned spaceflight and contributing to the nation's prestige during the Cold War era.

After his spaceflight, Glenn resigned from NASA in 1964 and entered the political arena. He ran for a U.S. Senate seat from Ohio but withdrew due to injury. Glenn finally won a Senate seat in 1974 and served four consecutive terms, focusing on issues related to weapons control, government affairs, and science and technology.

Return to Space

In 1998, at the age of 77, Glenn returned to space as a member of the STS-95 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the oldest person to fly in space. This mission aimed to study the effects of spaceflight on the aging process, and Glenn's participation highlighted the potential for space exploration to contribute to medical and scientific research.

Legacy

John Glenn's contributions to space exploration and American politics have left an indelible mark on history. He received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. Glenn's legacy is celebrated in various institutions, such as the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University and the John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio.

Death

John Glenn passed away on December 8, 2016, at the age of 95. His death was mourned across the nation, and he was remembered as a true American hero who inspired generations to look to the stars and dream big.