Special Report: John Glenn, Astronaut And Former US Senator, Dies At Age 95

John Glenn, the former U.S. senator and astronaut, died today, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. He was 95 years old.

In the history books, among his many aviation achievements, John Glenn was the first man to orbit the planet earth. Most recently, Sen. Glenn was hospitalized at the James Cancer Center at the Ohio State University. During 2014, Sen. Glenn had a heart valve replacement procedure done.

Sen. Glenn, after his political career was over, had established an office at the Ohio State University. At OSU, Sen. Glenn founded the John Glenn School of Public Affairs.

During the 1960s, Sen. Glenn, who was previously a US Marine Corps aviator, was one of America's seven original astronauts. There were many doubts about the the Friendship 7 mission that then-astronaut Glenn was taking part in. However, with Sen. Glenn commanding the mission, armed with determination and expert flying skills, the outcome was successful. Afterward, Sen. Glenn met then-President John F. Kennedy at the White House. In addition, a ticker-tape parade was thrown for the returning astronaut and his wife up Broadway, in New York City.

Sen. Glenn is survived by his wife, the former Anna Margaret Castor; two children, Carolyn Ann Glenn and John David Glenn; and two grandsons, Daniel and Zach Glenn.