Former Astronaut And Senator John Glenn Passes Away At 95

Former astronaut and U.S. senator John Glenn has passed away at 95.

John Glenn, the all-American astronaut and senator who rocketed into history on flights 36 years apart as the first American to orbit the Earth and the oldest person in space, died Thursday, Dec. 8 at age 95.

Glenn, who was known for his small-town decency and calm heroics, was the last of the original Mercury 7 astronauts who launched the US space program. He later served for nine years as a Democratic senator from Ohio.

He was also a Marine pilot who flew 149 missions in World War II and Korea. He was remarkable, to say the least.

More than three decades later, at 77 and about to retire as a senator, Glenn lifted off on the space shuttle Discovery on October 29, 1998, becoming the oldest person ever to fly in space.

 

His participation was designed to study the effect of space flight on the elderly. Once again, he – and his crewmates – received a ticker-tape parade on their safe return.

 

For the 50th anniversary of his historic flight on Feb. 20, 2012, Glenn was feted with a number of events, including a dinner with approximately 125 surviving veterans of NASA’s Project Mercury.

 

In typical self-effacing fashion told them, “We may be up on the point of that thing and get a lot of the attention, and we had ticker-tape parades and all that sort of thing. But … you’re the ones who deserve the accolade.”

“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,” Ohio Gov. John Kasich said. “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!” he added.

God’s speed, John Glenn. Your legacy is eternal. RIP #johnglenn

— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) December 8, 2016

Godspeed, John Glenn. https://t.co/MktjWMlPI1

— Paul Singer (@singernews) December 8, 2016

Godspeed John Glenn. You got a preview of the heavens before the rest of us. Rest in peace.

— Charlie Harper (@IcarusPundit) December 8, 2016

An American hero. RIP to John Glenn, who truly had the Right Stuff. https://t.co/Wr7b9ExKca

— Jeff B/DDHQ (@EsotericCD) December 8, 2016

So long, Space Cowboy… https://t.co/ned9Mari3w

— Fake Gimel (@fakegimel) December 8, 2016

# John Glenn The earth is sadder but the heavens a little brighter. Godspeed John Glenn. We will miss you!

— Theresa Logue (@teelogue) December 8, 2016

RIP, Glenn. You will be missed.