John Glenn had one of the most unusual American careers of the 20th century — war hero, test pilot, astronaut, and U.S. senator.
Career highlights:
1. Marine Corps combat pilot (WWII & Korea)
Flew 59 combat missions in World War II in the Pacific.
Flew 90 missions in Korea.
Shot down 3 MiG-15s in the Korean War, earning the nickname “MiG Mad Marine.”
2. Record-setting test pilot (1957)
3. Mercury Seven astronaut (1959)
4. First American to orbit Earth (1962)
Piloted Friendship 7 on February 20, 1962.
Completed 3 Earth orbits in under 5 hours.
This was one of the biggest early American wins in the Space Race.
5. U.S. Senator from Ohio (1974–1999)
Served 24 years in the U.S. Senate.
Worked on nuclear nonproliferation, science policy, and government oversight.
6. Returned to space at age 77 (1998)
Flew on Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the oldest person to go to space at that time.
Participated in aging and human physiology research.
Major honors:
Multiple Distinguished Flying Crosses
Congressional Space Medal of Honor
NASA Distinguished Service Medal
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2012)
