THE EARLY YEARS
John Herschel Glenn Jr. was born on July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio. He grew up in the nearby small town of New Concord with his parents, John and Clara, and his sister, Jean. He would later write that a boy could not have had a more idyllic early childhood.
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Childhood
1925
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
Four-year-old John Glenn plays in the snow at his boyhood home in New Concord, Ohio, in 1925.
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Glenn Plumbing Company
When he wasn’t in school, young John Glenn helped at his father’s plumbing business in New Concord, Ohio.
From “The John Glenn Story” video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpJFdudBNUw
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Annie Castor
1938
Growing up together in small-town New Concord, Ohio, high school sweethearts John Glenn and Annie Castor had known each other most of their lives.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
Annie Castor and John Glenn as teenagers, circa 1938.
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Muskingum College
John Glenn received his Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio. He earned his pilot’s license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program while he was still in school.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
Photograph of the college’s welcome sign, circa 1962.
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Marriage
1943
After receiving his commission in the U.S. Marine Corps, John Glenn married Annie Castor on April 6, 1943.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
Formal wedding portrait of John Glenn and Annie Castor Glenn, April 6, 1943.
FIGHTER PILOT
As the United States entered World War II, newly licensed pilot John Glenn committed to serving his country by air. His military career as a fighter pilot, flight instructor, test pilot, and astronaut would span more than two decades. He retired from active service in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Colonel in 1965.
Credit (Background photo): John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
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Eager to Learn
In this video excerpt, John Glenn’s parents and first flight instructor describe Glenn’s early interest in aviation, which led to flight training at Pensacola, Florida, and Corpus Christi, Texas.
From “The John Glenn Story” video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpJFdudBNUw
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World War II
1944
John Glenn stands beside his F4U Corsair while stationed in the Marshall Islands with U.S. Marine Corps squadron VMF-155 during World War II.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
John Glenn flies an F4U Corsair in formation with other pilots of U.S. Marine Corps squadron VMO-155 during World War II (hand-tinted print, circa 1944).
Credit: U.S. Navy.
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Korean War
1953
John Glenn stands beside the damage to the tail of his F9F Panther from antiaircraft fire after a mission during the Korean War with U.S. Marine Corps squadron VMF-311.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
John Glenn poses in the cockpit of his “MiG Mad Marine” F-86 Sabre while assigned to the 25th Interceptor Squadron of the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
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Return Home
1953
John Glenn uses models to show his children, Lyn and David, how he shot down a MiG jet during the Korean War, circa 1953.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
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Test Pilot
1957
On July 16, 1957, U.S. Marine Corps Major John Glenn flew the F8U-1P Crusader to a new transcontinental speed record of 725.55 mph, flying from Los Alamitos, California, to Floyd Bennett Field, New York, in 3 hours, 23 minutes, 8.4 seconds.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
John Glenn waves from the cockpit of the F8U-1P Crusader he piloted for Project Bullet, his record-breaking transcontinental flight.
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Home Again
1957
John Glenn relaxes at home with his wife, Annie, and their children, Lyn and David, after his record-breaking transcontinental flight in 1957.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
NASA ASTRONAUT
In 1959, John Glenn was selected as one of the Mercury Seven, the first group of astronauts in NASA’s newly formed NASA Manned Space Program. The other six astronauts were Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Walter Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Donald “Deke” Slayton.
Proficiency Training
1961
Astronaut John Glenn stands in the cockpit of a T-106 as he prepares for training exercises in flight proficiency.
Project Mercury Training
This compilation of video segments highlights John Glenn’s training for Project Mercury as he prepares for his historic orbital flight aboard the Friendship 7 spacecraft.
Gimbal Rig
In this video, John Glenn looks back on his 1960 astronaut training in NASA’s “gimbal rig,” which simulated tumble-type maneuvers astronauts might encounter in spaceflight. Located in the Altitude Wind Tunnel at NASA’s Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, the gimbal rig provided valuable training for all seven Project Mercury astronauts.
FRIENDSHIP 7
1962
On Feb. 20, 1962, piloting the Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft, NASA astronaut John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth.
A Hero's Welcome
This excerpt from “The John Glenn Story” documents the numerous parades and celebrations honoring the American hero for his historic orbital flight.
U.S. SENATOR
In 1974, after working in private industry for several years, John Glenn ran a successful campaign to represent Ohio in the U.S. Senate. He was Ohio’s first four-term senator, winning reelection in 1980, 1986, and 1992. He was considered one of the Senate’s leading experts on technical and scientific matters.
Background photo (below): John Glenn receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2012.
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Swearing In
1974
John Glenn is sworn into the U.S. Senate by Vice President Nelson Rockefeller in December 1974.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
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Foreign Relations Committee
John Glenn speaks during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in the 1980s.
Credit: John Glenn Archives, The Ohio State University.
Return to Space
On Oct. 29, 1998, at age 77, John Glenn made history once again when he became the oldest man to fly in space. As a payload specialist for NASA’s STS-95 mission, Glenn participated in investigations on spaceflight and the aging process.
New Directions
1998
In this video excerpt, John Glenn explains the inspiration behind his 1998 return to space aboard space shuttle Discovery.
Back in Training
This footage shows John Glenn in the cockpit of a training aircraft as he prepares for his return to space 36 years after becoming the first American to orbit the Earth.
STS-95 Crew
1998
This video follows STS-95 crew members Pedro Duque, Curtis Brown, Chiaki Nauto-Mukai, John Glenn, Stephen Robinson, Steven Lindsey, and Scott Parazynskias as they head to the astro van in preparation for the launch of space shuttle Discovery.
Preparing for Launch
1998
In the White Room at the Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B, closeout room crew members prepare STS-95 Payload Specialist John Glenn for entry into space shuttle Discovery.
Godspeed, John Glenn
1998
From the suit-up room to the successful liftoff of space shuttle Discovery, this video follows John Glenn as he embarks on his historic second journey into space. One of NASA’s original seven Mercury astronauts shares a special message with the Discovery crew.
Looking Back at Earth
1998
John Glenn photographs Earth targets during Flight Day 7 activity on Discovery’s flight deck.
Working in Microgravity
1998
While aboard space shuttle Discovery, John Glenn participates in investigations exploring the aging process and monitoring his body’s responses to the microgravity environment of space. Investigations focus on balance, perception, immune system response, bone and muscle density, metabolism, blood flow, and sleep.
A LIVING LEGACY
On March 1, 1999, NASA’s Lewis Research Center is officially renamed the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field. Celebration festivities at the center include a May parade featuring John Glenn and his wife, Annie. In this video, Glenn shares his response to the news that Lewis Research Center will be renamed in his honor.
HONORING A HERO
John H. Glenn Jr. died on Dec. 8, 2016, at the age of 95. Another NASA legend, research mathematician Katherine Johnson, released this statement: “A good man has left Earth for the last time. John Glenn’s life will long be remembered for his time in space, his courage, and his service to all Americans.”
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Public Viewing at Ohio Statehouse
2016
Mourners pay tribute as former NASA astronaut and senator John Glenn lies in repose under a U.S. Marine honor guard in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse on Dec. 16, 2016. On Dec. 17, a platoon of 40 U.S. Marines escorted Glenn’s body to Mershon Auditorium at The Ohio State University, where the university hosted a public celebration of Glenn’s life.
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Heroes and Legends Exhibit Hall
2016
Former space shuttle astronaut Jon McBride speaks at the Heroes and Legends exhibit hall at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex during a ceremony remembering astronaut John Glenn.
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International Space Station
2016
Aboard the International Space Station, Expedition 50 Commander Shane Kimbrough and Flight Engineer Peggy Whitson pay tribute to John Glenn in a downlink message from the orbital outpost on Dec. 9, 2016.
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Arlington National Cemetery
2017
A horse-drawn caisson carries former astronaut and senator John Glenn to his final resting place on Thursday, April 6, 2017, during the interment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
GLENN'S LEGACY LIVES ON
The NASA John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, designs and develops innovative technology to advance NASA’s missions in aeronautics and space exploration.
“Though we lost the senator a few short years ago, we continue his legacy of exploration, inspiration, and discovery at the center bearing his name, and we strive to embody his legacy each day as we make lasting contributions to our nation.”NASA Glenn Research Center DirectorDr. Marla Pérez-Davis
Expanding Horizons, Opening Frontiers
1999
During the May 1999 event celebrating the renaming of NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center, John Glenn spoke of the lasting value of NASA science and research. He noted NASA’s role in “expanding horizons and opening frontiers” – a slogan on one of the celebration’s parade floats – and shared his hope that this important work will provide inspiration for the next generation.