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On December 8, 2016, JohnGlenn passed away. Duringhis life, he was a decoratedfighter pilot, a United StatesSenator, and the firstAmerican to orbit the earth.
Born and raised in Ohio, Glennserved as a fighter pilot duringWorld War Two and the KoreanWar, earning six DistinguishedFlying Crosses and othercommendations for his service.
In 1957, he performed the firstthe first transcontinental flightat supersonic speed, travelingfrom California to New York injust over three hours.
On the morning of February 20, 1962, Glenn was launched into space and became the first American toorbit the earth. He orbited the planet three times, spending a total of nearly five hours in space, before hereturned to the earth's surface.
Glenn was hailed as a national hero from the moment he stepped out of his module and served as aninspiration to Americans throughout the remainder of the Space Age and even today!
After his orbit, Glenn enteredpublic service: In 1974, he waselected to the U.S. Senate as arepresentative from his nativeOhio. He remained in office for25 years, where he was arespected legislator by officialsof all parties. In 1983, in fact, heunsuccessfully sought theDemocratic nomination forPresident of the United States.
While serving in the Senate, atthe age of 77, Glenn convincedNASA to send him into space inorder to study the effects ofspace travel on the elderly. Hewent up for nine days in 1998,making him the oldest personto ever go to space!
