John Herschel Glenn
10 min read
Reading time
1,841
Words
Published
8
Film credits
18
Awards
John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth on February 20, 1962, aboard Friendship 7. A decorated Marine Corps pilot, he set a transcontinental speed record in 1957. He later represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate from 1975 to 1999. In 1998, at age 77, he returned to space on the Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the oldest person to fly in space.
Names, aliases, and relatives of John Glenn — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
John Glenn by the numbers — life, work, and family.
John Glenn — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Clara Sproat gave birth to John Herschel Glenn Jr. on July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio. He grew up in New Concord, Ohio, where he developed an early interest in flight. Glenn attended Muskingum College, the same alma mater as actress Agnes Moorehead, and later enrolled at the United States Naval Test Pilot School, setting the foundation for his career as a Marine aviator and astronaut.
In 1959, Glenn was selected for NASA’s Mercury 7 program, introduced on April 9, 1959. On February 20, 1962, he piloted the Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7, becoming the first American to orbit Earth. Prior to that, in 1957, he set a transcontinental speed record flying from Los Angeles to New York. After retiring from NASA, Glenn entered politics and served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio from January 1975 to January 1999. In 1998, at age 77, he returned to space as a crew member on the Space Shuttle Discovery, setting a record as the oldest person in space.
John Glenn married Annie Glenn on April 5, 1943, and they remained together until his death on December 8, 2016. He credited Annie with supporting his demanding career. Glenn’s mother, Clara Sproat, raised him in New Concord, Ohio. He did not have any publicly known children.
John Glenn received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama on May 29, 2012. In 1990, he was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and in 1993 into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. Glenn is most remembered for being the first American to orbit Earth, a feat that inspired a nation.
The complete filmography of John Glenn — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by John Glenn — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
A wall of memorable lines from John Glenn — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.
I Don’t Know What You Could Say About a Day in Which You Have Seen Four Beautiful Sunsets.
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.
Little-known facts about John Glenn — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
At age 77, John Glenn became the oldest person to fly in space as a member of the Space Shuttle Discovery crew from October 29 to November 7, 1998.
John Glenn holds the world record for the longest time between commission as an astronaut and last space flight: 39 years, 6 months, and 27 days.
During the Korean War, John Glenn served as Ted Williams’ wingman.
With Scott Carpenter’s death on October 10, 2013, John Glenn became the last surviving member of the Mercury Seven. Despite this, he was the oldest of the seven astronauts.
John Glenn was both an astronaut and a U.S. Senator.
In 1957, after setting a transcontinental speed record, John Glenn appeared in uniform as a contestant on an episode of Name That Tune on October 4, 1957, alongside ten-year-old Eddie Hodges. They split the $25,000 grand prize.
John Glenn attended Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio, the same college that produced actress Agnes Moorehead.
John Glenn named his Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7.
John Glenn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama on May 29, 2012.
John Glenn attended the Marine Corps Ball held annually in Washington, D.C. as the Guest of Honor.
John Glenn was a member of NASA’s Mercury 7 project, introduced on April 9, 1959, just six months after the agency was established, alongside Wally Schirra, Deke Slayton, Scott Carpenter, Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, and Gordon Cooper.
John Glenn was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in 1993.
John Glenn was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 1990.
John Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth, which he accomplished on February 20, 1962.
John Glenn served as a U.S. Senator from Ohio from January 1975 to January 1999.
John Glenn’s historic title as first American to orbit Earth has been frequently misidentified; he is often mistaken as the first man in space or the first American in space, but Yuri Gagarin was first in space and Alan Shepard was the first American in space.
John Glenn shared a birthday with Nelson Mandela on July 18. Due to Glenn’s famous orbit in 1962, the Mandela Effect has led many to incorrectly believe Glenn was the first man or first American in space.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about John Glenn.
Celebrities similar to John Glenn — same craft, ranked by reach.
🇺🇸 United States
🇮🇹 Italy
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇮🇹 Italy
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
🇺🇸 United States
