John Glenn

Date of Birth: July 18, 1921

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: December 8, 2016

Biography

John Herschel Glenn Jr. was an American aviator, engineer, astronaut, and politician. He was born on July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio. Glenn’s remarkable career began as a fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War, where he flew numerous combat missions and earned the nickname “Magnet Ass” due to his aircraft often being hit by enemy fire. In 1959, Glenn was selected as one of the “Mercury Seven” military test pilots by NASA to become America’s first astronauts. On February 20, 1962, he became the first American to orbit the Earth, piloting the Friendship 7 spacecraft during the Mercury-Atlas 6 mission. This historic flight made Glenn an instant national hero and a symbol of American ingenuity and bravery during the Space Race. After his career in space, Glenn turned to politics, serving as a U.S. Senator from Ohio from 1974 to 1999. He made history again in 1998 when, at the age of 77, he became the oldest person to fly in space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-95 mission. This mission was aimed at studying the effects of spaceflight on the elderly. Glenn passed away on December 8, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of courage, service, and dedication. He is remembered as a pioneering astronaut who pushed the boundaries of human space exploration and as a public servant who worked tirelessly for his country.

5 Interesting Facts about John Glenn

1. John Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth, completing three orbits on February 20, 1962.

2. He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978.

3. Glenn was the oldest person to fly in space, at age 77, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998.

4. He served four terms as a U.S. Senator from Ohio.

5. Glenn was a decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot in both World War II and the Korean War.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from John Glenn

1. “As I hurtled through space, one thought kept crossing my mind – every part of this rocket was supplied by the lowest bidder.”

2. “I don’t know what you could say about a day in which you have seen four beautiful sunsets.”

3. “To sit back and let fate play its hand out and never influence it is not the way man was meant to operate.”

4. “We are more fulfilled when we are involved in something bigger than ourselves.”

5. “The most important thing we can do is inspire young minds and to advance the kind of science, math, and technology education that will help youngsters take us to the next phase of space travel.”