Today we mourn the passing of Sen. John Glenn... The Last American Hero!
Sen. John Glenn, the iconic astronaut lauded as the last American hero, has died. He was 95. Ohio State University officials announced Glenn’s death on December 8. He was being treated for a variety of ailments at James Cancer Hospital, where he was hospitalized since last week.
We are saddened by the loss of Sen. John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth. A true American hero. Godspeed, John Glenn. Ad astra. pic.twitter.com/89idi9r1NB
— NASA (@NASA) December 8, 2016
When he entered the hospital, officials did not reveal his exact illness, but they said people shouldn’t assume he had cancer because of the hospital’s name. Glenn died with his two children, John and Carolyn, and wife of 73 years at his side, said BBC.
He suffered a stroke two years ago and had heart valve replacement surgery. The Columbus Dispatch said Glenn’s health started to go downhill in 2013 when he had a pacemaker installed and experienced episodes of vertigo. He also had knee replacement surgery, the newspaper said. The Associated Press said Glenn’s eyesight was also failing this year, something he apologized for at a ceremony where an airport was renamed for him.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich announced Glenn’s death on Twitter.
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) December 8, 2016
According to the Columbus Dispatch, “Glenn’s body will lie in state at the Ohio Statehouse for a day, and a public memorial service will be held at Ohio State University’s Mershon Auditorium. He will be buried near Washington, D.C., at Arlington National Cemetery in a private service.”
Glenn was the first man to orbit the earth and later a U.S senator. According to NPR, Glenn was “the last surviving member of the original Mercury astronauts.” Glenn was also a World War II combat veteran, and the U.S. Marines posted a tweet mourning his loss.
The Corps lost a legend today.
Col. John Glenn— an astronaut, a senator, a Marine— died at the age of 95.
Semper Fi, Sir. pic.twitter.com/xUShqC9JaZ
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) December 8, 2016
Annie Glenn his wife, and now widow is still alive and is 96-years-old. Theirs was considered a great love story. Rest in Peace.
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