National Air & Space Museum Archives

December 8, 2016

Godspeed, John Glenn [VIDEO]

It’s never easy to see American heroes age and then pass away. But here we are again. John Glenn – United States Marine, Mercury astronaut, Senator from Ohio – has died at the age of 95.

John Glenn, 1921-2016 (official NASA photo)

The Marines are honoring Colonel John Glenn, who flew combat missions in the South Pacific during World War II, and served two combat tours during the Korean War. He became a test pilot after the Korean War.

The Corps lost a legend today.

Col. John Glenn— an astronaut, a senator, a Marine— died at the age of 95.

Semper Fi, Sir. pic.twitter.com/xUShqC9JaZ

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) December 8, 2016

It was his service in the Marine Corps that led to his selection as one of the famed “Mercury 7” – the United States’ first seven astronauts. Glenn described his progression from pilot to Marine to astronaut in a Marine Corps recruiting video.