Presented here are highlights of the numerous achievements and accomplishments of John Glenn, from his birth in 1921 to the celebration in 2012 of the 50th anniversary of his Friendship 7 space flight. Included are notable events from his career as a combat and test pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps, his years with NASA as one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts, his twenty-four years in the U.S. Senate, his return to space with NASA in 1998, and his involvement after his retirement from the U.S. Senate with the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University.
World War I begins.
John H. Glenn, Sr. marries Clara Sproat two weeks prior to Glenn shipping overseas for France as a bugler in the U.S. Army during World War I.
John Herschel Glenn, Jr. is born in Cambridge, Ohio on July 18, 1921.
After his family moves to New Concord, Ohio, Glenn meets Anna Margaret (“Annie”) Castor, the daughter of family friends.
Glenn experiences flight for the first time when he and his father ride in a barnstormer’s WACO aircraft.
U.S. stock market crashes on "Black Tuesday" (October 29); the ensuing Great Depression lasts through the 1930s.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" becomes the National Anthem of the United States.
Glenn joins the town band. At Decoration Day festivities, Glenn and his father (a military bugler) play "Echo Taps" in honor of the fallen veterans.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt institutes his "New Deal"
Effects of the Great Depression instill the willingness to work hard, the importance of service to others, and the value of good government.
Influenced by Harford Steele's civics class at New Concord High School, Glenn decides to enroll in college.
World War II begins in Europe.
While a college student Glenn takes flying lessons at the New Philadelphia airport through the Civilian Pilot Training program and earns his license.
Japan attacks Pearl Harbor; the United States enters World War II
Hears radio reports of the bombing of Pearl Harbor on his way to Annie Castor’s senior music recital at Muskingum College.
Enlists in the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet, transfers to the U.S. Marine Corps, and earns his airman’s wings.
Marries childhood sweetheart Annie Castor. The Marines send the newlyweds to California where Glenn continues training.
Glenn flies 59 combat missions in the Marshall Islands and earns 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 10 Air Medals. Remains in the military as a Marine pilot after the war.
Allied forces invade Europe on D-Day, June 6th.
Annie and John welcome their son, John David (“Dave”) at Camp LeJeune Hospital, North Carolina.
World War II ends.
Glenn serves a tour of duty in China, flying support missions during General George Marshall’s efforts to broker peace between nationalist and communist forces.
Daughter Carolyn Ann (“Lyn”) is born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Zanesville, Ohio, while Glenn finishes his tour of duty in China.
The Korean Conflict begins.
He flies 63 ground support missions, and earns 2 more Distinguished Flying Crosses and an additional 8 Air Medals.
A cease-fire ends fighting in Korea
Awarded a coveted assignment as a test pilot at the Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland.
Pilots the first coast-to-coast supersonic flight from L.A. to N.Y., setting transcontinental speed record of 3 hours, 23 minutes, and 8.4 seconds.
The Soviets launch Sputnik, the first man-made Earth satellite.
In July, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs legislation creating the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, thus assuring that U.S. efforts to explore outer space would be under civilian control and open to national and world media coverage.
Chosen out of an initial pool of 508 test pilots.
On May 25, 1961, Kennedy announced his support for the Apollo program during a special address to a joint session of Congress.
Becomes the first American to orbit Earth. After 3 orbits, he returns an instant national hero.
John F. Kennedy's famous speech, challenges America to put a man on the moon.
Unfortunately, a head injury sustained in an accidental fall derails his candidacy.
Begins a business career with Royal Crown Cola, first as vice president for corporate development and later as president of Royal Crown International.
Wolper Productions selects John Glenn to retrace the route through Africa taken during 1871 by Sir Henry Stanley in his search of Dr. David Livingstone. The production company broadcasts footage of Glenn's trip as part of their "Great Explorations" television program.
Glenn keeps his hand in politics by helping Robert Kennedy campaign for the presidency.
U.S. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon, fulfilling Kennedy's promise made earlier in the decade.
Campaigns for the U.S. Senate, but loses to Howard Metzenbaum in the primary election.
Chairs the Citizens Task Force on Environmental Protection. Task Force report leads to the formation of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
Facing impeachment by the House of Representatives due to the Watergate Scandal, Nixon resigns the presidency on August 9, 1974.
The first of four consecutive terms. Campaigned against Metzenbaum again, winning primary election after delivering famous "Gold Star Mother" speech.
Glenn travels back to China on a congressional fact-finding trip led by Senator Mike Mansfield.
Glenn authors act, his first of 6 major legislative bills introduced against the spread of nuclear weapons enacted into law during his Senate career.
Act establishes relations with Taiwan after the U.S. recognition of the People’s Republic of China.
Iranian revolutionaries take over the American Embassy in Tehran and kidnap 52 people. The hostages are held for 444 days.
Wins first re-election in a landslide victory.
Announces presidential candidacy in April 1983, running as a centrist. Viewed as a front-runner during much of 1983, Glenn drops out of the race in March 1984 after poor showings in the early primary elections.
Becomes chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, leads efforts to rectify environmental and safety problems at nuclear weapons facilities.
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