A true American hero, this former Ohio Senator dedicated his life to public service tragically has passed after complications arose while he was hospitalized.
The trailblazing astronaut passed at the age of 95 surrounded by family at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Details regarding diagnosis or his condition have not been released.
In 1962, at 40 years old, John Glenn became the third U.S. astronaut in space and was the first astronaut to be placed in orbit around the Earth.
Glenn began his life of service just hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 when he enlisted with the Marines and became a decorated pilot flying over 59 combat missions during World War II. Later, during the Korean War, Glenn returned to his post as a combat pilot.
His career in NASA began when he set a speed record in 1957 after flying from LA to New York in just over three hours as an expert flyer for the Naval Air Test Center.
As the first orbiting American astronaut, Glenn marveled in the beauty of seeing the Earth more than 100 miles beneath the spaceship he lovingly named Friendship 7.
“Oh, that view is tremendous!”
Upon Glenn’s decent back down to Earth’s surface, his return capsule nearly burnt up after undergoing a mechanical problem. Luckily, Glenn survived the plunge and continued forth with his journey as a hero!
After his time as an astronaut, Glenn dedicated himself to a path toward public office and was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1974 as a Democratic representative for Ohio, campaigning for many important causes to him – including funding for science, education, and space exploration.
He was eyed for a Vice Presidential nomination three times throughout his career and ran for President during the Democratic primaries of the 1984 election.
Since the announcement of Glenn’s passing, current Ohio Governor, John R. Kasich issued a statement via social media honoring one of the greatest men in American history.
“John Glenn is, and always will be, Ohio’s ultimate hometown hero, and his passing today is an occasion for all of us to grieve. As we bow our heads and share our grief with his beloved wife, Annie, we must also turn to the skies, to salute his remarkable journeys and his long years of service to our state and nation.Though he soared deep into space and to the heights of Capitol Hill, his heart never strayed from his steadfast Ohio roots. Godspeed, John Glenn!”
Glenn was recently honored by President Barack Obama in 2012 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his meritorious contributions to our country and the American people.
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to such an incredible American hero. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.