# John Glenn

> American astronaut and politician (1921–2016)

**Wikidata**: [Q182642](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182642)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-glenn

## Summary
John Glenn was an American astronaut and politician who lived from 1921 to 2016. He served as a military officer, test pilot, and aircraft pilot before becoming a member of the Mercury Seven astronaut group. Throughout his career, he was employed by NASA and held positions in government, while also serving in World War II and the Korean War.

## Biography
- **Born:** July 18, 1921
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Muskingum University; United States Naval Test Pilot School
- **Known for:** Being a member of the Mercury Seven, serving as a U.S. astronaut and politician, and his military service in World War II and the Korean War.
- **Employer(s):** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Field(s):** Politics, Military, Aviation, Spaceflight

## Contributions
John Glenn contributed to American history through his multifaceted service as a military leader, astronaut, and politician. He was a member of the Mercury Seven, the inaugural group of astronauts selected for the NASA space program. His professional roles included serving as a military officer and test pilot, where he participated in World War II and the Korean War. Following his military and aviation career, he transitioned into politics, serving as a politician and holding government office. His legacy in aerospace is cemented through the naming of major infrastructure and technology in his honor, including the NASA Glenn Research Center, the New Glenn orbital launch vehicle, the USNS John Glenn, and the Cygnus CRS OA-7 spacecraft (named S.S. John Glenn).

## FAQs
**What was John Glenn's role in NASA?**
John Glenn was an astronaut and a member of the Mercury Seven, the first group of astronauts selected for the NASA space program.

**Which wars did John Glenn serve in?**
He served as a military officer in both World War II and the Korean War.

**Where did John Glenn receive his education?**
He attended Muskingum University and the United States Naval Test Pilot School.

**What awards did John Glenn receive for his service?**
He received numerous awards, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.

**What entities are named after John Glenn?**
Several facilities and vehicles bear his name, such as the Glenn Research Center, the New Glenn rocket, the USNS John Glenn, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, and the Cygnus spacecraft S.S. John Glenn.

## Why They Matter
John Glenn matters as a pivotal figure in 20th-century American history, bridging the gap between military aviation, the space age, and political leadership. As a member of the Mercury Seven, he represented the vanguard of human space exploration. His military service in two major global conflicts demonstrated his commitment to national defense. His subsequent career as a politician allowed him to influence policy from within the government. The extensive list of honors he received, including the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, underscores his national significance. Furthermore, the decision to name a NASA research center, a major launch vehicle, and a naval ship after him highlights his enduring impact on science, technology, and culture.

## Notable For
- **Mercury Seven Member:** Part of the initial group of seven Mercury astronauts.
- **Military Service:** Served as a military officer in World War II and the Korean War.
- **Aviation Career:** Worked as a test pilot and aircraft pilot.
- **High Honors:** Recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and Congressional Gold Medal.
- **Military Decorations:** Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
- **Hall of Fame Inductions:** Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.
- **Professional Recognition:** Received the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, Hubbard Medal, Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, Theodore Roosevelt Award, and Golden Plate Award.
- **Institutional Affiliation:** Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- **Namesakes:** The Glenn Research Center, New Glenn rocket, USNS John Glenn, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, and the S.S. John Glenn spacecraft are all named in his honor.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
John Herschel Glenn Jr. was born on July 18, 1921, and passed away on December 8, 2016. He pursued higher education at Muskingum University, a private liberal arts college in New Concord, Ohio. He also attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School, a post-graduate professional education establishment.

### Military and Aviation Career
Glenn had a extensive career in the armed forces and aviation. His occupations included military officer, test pilot, and aircraft pilot. He served in two significant conflicts: World War II and the Korean War. For his service, he was awarded various military decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.

### Spaceflight Career
John Glenn was a prominent figure in the space race as an astronaut. He was employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He is best known for being a member of the Mercury Seven, the group of seven astronauts selected for the Mercury program. His contributions to space exploration were recognized with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal. He was also honored with the Hubbard Medal and inducted into both the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.

### Political Career and Other Occupations
Beyond his military and space endeavors, Glenn was a politician. He held positions in government, contributing to public policy. His professional portfolio was diverse, also listing occupations such as screenwriter, businessperson, manager, musician, film actor, and television actor. He was a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society and policy research center.

### Legacy and Honors
Glenn received some of the highest civilian awards in the United States, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. He was also the recipient of the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, the Theodore Roosevelt Award, and the Golden Plate Award. His legacy is preserved through numerous namesakes:
- **Glenn Research Center:** A NASA research center in Ohio, renamed in his honor in 1999.
- **New Glenn:** An orbital launch vehicle developed by Blue Origin.
- **USNS John Glenn:** A 2013 Expeditionary Transfer Dock.
- **John Glenn Columbus International Airport:** An airport in Columbus, Ohio.
- **Cygnus CRS OA-7:** A cargo resupply mission spacecraft named the S.S. John Glenn.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Genealogics
3. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
4. IMDb
5. [Source](https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/index.html#/arlington-national/)
6. [Source](https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47639)
7. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/history/congressional-space-medal-of-honor/)
8. [Source](https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/Agency_Awards_Historical_Recipient_List.pdf?rhid=1000&did=2120817&type=released)
9. [Source](https://www.nmspacemuseum.org/inductee/clinton-p-anderson/)
10. [Space Hall Honors Pioneers. Las Cruces Sun-News. 1977](https://www.newspapers.com/clip/28241576/las_cruces_sunnews/)
11. [Source](https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/all-honorees/)
12. International Standard Name Identifier
13. Virtual International Authority File
14. [Source](http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/history/mercury7.html)
15. MusicBrainz
16. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/english/e_first.htm)
17. [Source](https://planet4589.org/space/astro/rides.html)
18. National Register of Historic Places
19. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
20. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
21. SNAC
22. Find a Grave
23. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
24. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
25. BnF authorities
26. GeneaStar
27. Roglo
28. Proleksis Encyclopedia
29. Croatian Encyclopedia
30. Munzinger Personen
31. [Source](http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/john-glenn/john-glenn.html)
32. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
33. CONOR.SI
34. BBC Things
35. The Movie Database
36. Catalogo of the National Library of India