- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Obama Praises John Glenn's Contribution to American Astronautics

© REUTERS / Andy RainUS President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in central London with Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (unseen) following a meeting at Downing Street, in London, Britain April, 22, 2016.
US President Barack Obama speaks during a press conference at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in central London with Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron (unseen) following a meeting at Downing Street, in London, Britain April, 22, 2016. - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Legendary astronaut and former Senator John Glenn will be remembered as a person who has inspired Americans for his historic achievements in space, outgoing US President Barack Obama said in a statement.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Glenn, 95, died Thursday afternoon at the Ohio State Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio where friends and family said their last goodbyes.

"John [Glenn] always had the right stuff, inspiring generations of scientists, engineers and astronauts who will take us to Mars and beyond — not just to visit, but to stay," the release stated on Thursday.

​Obama noted that Glenn was the last surviving pilot of the America's first astronauts of the original Mercury Seven group that was announced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on April 9, 1959.

Obama also praised Glenn for his exceptional service as US Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and the Korean War.

In 2012, Obama awarded Glen the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the White House. In 1978, Glenn also received a Congressional Medal of Honor.

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала