John Glenn, Marine Corps combat pilot, pioneer of human exploration and later a longtime United States senator, became the first American to orbit the Earth on this day in history, Feb. 20, ...

In an emotional remembrance, John Glenn was honored Saturday for an unprecedented career in public service, from his days as a combat fighter pilot, his historic journey into space as the first ...

John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth ... from defending our freedom as a decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and Korea, to setting a transcontinental speed record ...

Long before his space travels, John Glenn was already an experienced fighter pilot, having served in World War II. When he was called up to fly in the Korean War, he asked for the Boston Red Sox ...

John Glenn by Henry C. Caselli, Jr., 1998 is in the collections of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. NPG, gift of Taylor Energy Company LLC, © Henry C ...

Astronaut John Glenn relaxes aboard the USS Noa after being ... Hawaii relayed their question. "The pilot is in a GO con­dition," Glenn radioed. The CAPCOM reply was relayed back: "We are GO ...

John Glenn in 1966Getty Images He broke the transcontinental flight speed record as a pilot with the US Marines — and flew 149 combat missions in World War II and the Korean War. In 1962 ...

John Glenn, the first American to fly into orbit ... Before joining NASA, he was a marine fighter pilot and decorated hero during World War II and the Korean War. After NASA he served four terms ...

151; -- John Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit ... In World War II he served as a Marine Corps pilot, flying 59 combat missions, and he flew 90 more in the Korean War.

After liftoff at 9:47 a.m., backup pilot Carpenter said on an internal tape later released to the public, “Godspeed, John Glenn.” The moment was shared by practically the entire nation ...

John H. Glenn Jr., a decorated combat veteran and test pilot who gained worldwide fame as the first American to orbit the Earth, went on to become a U.S. senator and, in the autumn of his life ...