John Glenn has passed away at age 95.
The former U.S. senator and astronaut will be remembered for his achievements in space and here on Earth. Glenn died Thursday after being hospitalized for more than a week.
Here are nine things to remember the man by:
- Glenn was part of the “Mercury Seven,” which was a group of military test pilots that NASA chose in 1959 in consideration to become the first person to orbit the Earth.
- He was the first American to orbit the Earth, circling it three times in 1962 and making him the fifth person in space.
- He was in the military. As part of the Marine Corps, Glenn spent 23 years serving his country, winning more than 15 medals and awards, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
- While in service, he was a fighter pilot in World War II and Korea.
- His NASA career ended in 1964.
- Glenn changed careers after leaving his space days as he joined the Democratic Party and ran for the Senate in 1974.
- The served as a Senator in Ohio for 24 years.
- He was still married to his wife Annie Castor, who he spent an incredible 73 years married to.
- Glenn returned to space at age 77, making him the oldest person ever to make it to space as part of a mission that would use him as a guinea pig to study geriatrics in space.
Rest in peace, John Glenn.
