John Glenn, first American to orbit the earth, dies at 95
Los Angeles : John Glenn the first American to orbit the Earth has died at 95. An extraordinary man, Glenn was the last surviving member of the original Mercury astronauts.
Glenn had been battling longtime sickness since a stroke a few years ago and was hospitalized in an Ohio State University medical center in Columbus for the past week.
Hank Wilson, communications director of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at the Ohio State University, confirmed his death on Thursday.
US President Barack Obama also offered sympathy saying, “Glenn was a man with courage and a spirit of discovery there's no limit to the heights we can reach together. John always had the right stuff, inspiring generations of scientists, engineers and astronauts. ... On behalf of a grateful nation, Godspeed, John Glenn."
President-elect Donald Trump also tweeted, “Today we lost a great pioneer of air and space in John Glenn. He was a hero and inspired generations of future explorers. He will be missed.”
Glenn’s other colleagues also offered condolence. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said, "Senator Glenn's legacy is one of risk and accomplishment, of history created and duty to country carried out under great pressure with the whole world watching. The entire NASA Family will be forever grateful for his outstanding service, commitment and friendship."
Glenn made history on Feb. 20, 1962, when he rocketed into space. After Glenn's Friendship 7 capsule reached orbit, he relayed from space, "Roger, zero G and I feel fine. Capsule is turning around. Oh, that view is tremendous!"
