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Astronaut John Glenn dead at 95

Posted at 3:33 PM, Dec 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-08 15:39:54-05

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Former astronaut and United States Senator John Glenn died Thursday. He was 95.

Glenn was hospitalized "more than a week ago," according to Ohio State University spokesman Hank Wilson.

He became the first American to orbit the Earth in 1962.

Glenn piloted the Mercury space capsule, dubbed Friendship 7, and circled the planet three times in just under five hours on February 20, 1962. Of the original seven US astronauts who made up Project Mercury -- Glenn, Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Gordon Cooper, Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra and Donald Slayton -- Glenn is the last surviving member.

Former Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH), walks past the Space Shuttle Discovery during an event at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 19, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The space shuttle Discovery is the he oldest and most traveled vehicle from NASA's space shuttle program, and will replace the Interprise at the museum. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Former Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH), walks past the Space Shuttle Discovery during an event at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center April 19, 2012 in Chantilly, Virginia. The space shuttle Discovery is the he oldest and most traveled vehicle from NASA's space shuttle program, and will replace the Interprise at the museum. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Prior to his career as an astronaut, Glenn flew 149 missions during World War II and the Korean War and received multiple medals and decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross on six occasions.

He resigned from the astronaut program in 1964 and pursued a career in politics, serving as a US senator as a Democrat from Ohio between 1974 and 1999. He even ran for president in 1984. But Glenn's time in space wasn't over.

At 77, he became the oldest person to ever travel in space. Glenn was a payload specialist aboard the space shuttle Discovery for a nine-day mission in 1998.

In 2011, he received a Congressional Gold Medal alongside Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. In 2012, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.

"John Glenn is, and always will be, Ohio’s ultimate hometown hero, and his passing today is an occasion for all of us to grieve," Ohio Governor John Kasich said. "As we bow our heads and share our grief with his beloved wife, Annie, we must also turn to the skies, to salute his remarkable journeys and his long years of service to our state and nation. Though he soared deep into space and to the heights of Capitol Hill, his heart never strayed from his steadfast Ohio roots. Godspeed, John Glenn!"

Ohio State University President Michael Drake called Glenn a true American hero.

"Senator Glenn was a decorated U.S. Marine aviator, legendary NASA astronaut, tireless public servant, and an unparalleled supporter of The John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State, where he served actively as an adjunct professor until just recently. He was an authentic hero whose courage, integrity, sacrifice and achievements inspired people, young and old, around the world," Drake said. "Most importantly, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He and his wife, Annie, have been the definition of model citizens. Meeting them was among life’s greatest privileges. Spending time with them was a blessing."

Details about arrangements and an on-campus remembrance service are forthcoming

This is a developing story.