American hero and astronaut John Glenn has died at the age of 95 at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio reports Joe Hallet of The Columbus Dispatch.
Glenn along with Orville and Wilbur Wright and Neil Armstrong made Ohio the first in flight.
He was the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962, but before that as a Marine Corps pilot he broke the transcontinental flight speed record. Then at age 77 he became the oldest man in space aboard the shuttle Discovery.
Glenn was also a long-term U.S. Senator serving 24 hours.
He originally wanted to be a medical doctor, but found a passion for flight during World War II and Korea where he flew 149 combat missions. He even earned the nickname “Old Magnet Ass” for being able to land his plane under any conditions.
Glenn made history when he blasted into space on February 20, 1962 to become the third American in space aboard the Friendship 7.
Learn more about Glenn’s historic life in the following video:
John Glenn’s legacy will definitely be remembered. The Friendship 7 capsule can be found in the Smithsonian. He also leaves behind papers and memorabilia at Ohio State. His life and more is also documented at the Glenn Historic Site in New Concord.
Share to honor John Glenn’s legacy as an American hero and icon!