Profile of Astronaut John Glenn
1961 - 1962
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This is the fourth in a series of 12 articles entitled "First U.S. Man in Orbit" that was distributed as a NASA press release.
Transcript
First U.S. Man In Orbit (Part 4)ASTRONAUT JOHN H. GLENN JR. -- PROFILE
It is easy to see why 40-year-old John H. Glenn Jr. was selected to make the United States' first orbital flight.
The athletic but studious volunteer is a striking combination of the qualities of skill, fitness and dedication which have become the standard for America's hand-picked body of space-age pioneers.
Fascinated by the challenge of aviation since childhood, Glenn has developed himself into a remarkable blend of the daring flyer and the carefully balanced student of modern space science. At the climax of his career, the veteran pilot is close to being the ideal answer to the long search for a man whose physical and mental attributes harmonize almost perfectly with the precise and complicated machinery designed to place him in orbit.
Although the oldest of America's seven-man Astronaut team, the red-haired, studious Glenn keeps himself in top physical condition by running two miles each morning before breakfast. His years of experience in all types of aircraft have given him a high degree of technical ability--as well as a relaxed, confident appreciation of his capacity to meet any emergencies which may arise.
At the same time, the lean, muscular Glenn is far from being a one-sided personality whose only interest is in machines. A devoted
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family-man and the father of two teen-age children, America's No. 1 Astronaut is deeply religious (he is a Presbyterian) and has devoted much thought to the relationship of his career to the principles of his faith. To the fullest extent possible, Glenn shares his space experiences with his wife Anna, his children John David and Carolyn Ann and other members of his family.
Keenly aware that his selection to make his country's first attempt at orbital flight placed him on the threshold of a great adventure, Glenn has nevertheless conducted himself with modesty despite the widespread publicity he has received.
Being America's "first true space man," he once said "is something we Astronauts feel very strongly about. We are trying to more or less play down the idea of who will be the first man. We feel that we are all extremely fortunate to be present at this time in history, where we can take part in such a big venture as this. We feel that is much more important than whose name happens to be on the first ticket to go."
His own achievements, as well as the feats of his fellow Astronauts, Glenn says matter-of-factly, should be regarded merely as "stepping stones" in the continuing venture of man's ultimate conquest of space.
How did Glenn qualify for his assignment?
The story begins in the small town of Cambridge, in the mid-western state of Ohio, where Glenn was born July 18, 1921. By the time
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he was six years old, his green eyes sparkling with an interest foretelling his later achievements, young Glenn had seen enough of airplanes to know that he wanted to make flying his life.
This interest was maintained through his school years and three years of study at Ohio's Muskingum College until Glenns' real flying career began with his service as a Marine Corps pilot in World War II. For outstanding performance in flying the aircraft of that day in dozens of missions in the Pacific and later over Korea, Glenn was awarded five Distinguished Flying Crosses and seventeen Medals. When peace came, Glenn served as an instructor in advanced flight training and was closely associated with the development of new types of planes. He is a graduate of the U.S. Navy's Test Pilot school and has had specialized training at the University of Maryland and in other schools. In 1957, Glenn became the first man to cross the United States at a speed faster than sound, making the jet flight from Los Angeles to New York in three hours and 23 minutes.
Now a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps, Glenn has had more than 5,000 hours of actual flying experience in various types of aircraft and in all kinds of conditions, a background which he believes is of special value in his new career as an Astronaut. "The Space traveler," he says, "needs a confidence only experience can give him... Experience in dangerous and unexpected situations is even more valuable than good conditioning."
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Since his selection in April 1959 as one of the seven Astronauts to train for space flights under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's "Project Mercury" program, Glenn has been a key figure in America's preparations for orbital flight. He has engaged in strenuous conditioning and training activities for more than two years and was the "back-up" or reserve pilot for the sub-orbital flights made earlier this year by commander Alan B. Shepard Jr. and Captain Virgil L. Grissom.
As early as December 4, 1961, Glenn had moved into special "ready room" quarters for the final stage of his intensive preparations for the big adventure in actual space flight.
Despite his unassuming modesty, Glenn makes no secret of his confidence in his own ability--or of his sincere appreciation of the opportunity he has been given. He has observed that the whole Project Mercury program is comparable in many ways to the historic efforts of the Wright brothers in making the first flight in a heavier-than air machine early in this century. "I think, " he said recently, " that we stand on the verge of something big and expansive."
Speaking for all seven U.S. Astronauts, Glenn added: " we are looking at the beginning of manned space flight really as a tremendous exploration, probably the greatest exploration that man has ever undertaken. And we are fortunate enough to be here at a place and time where we can take part."
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As for himself, Glenn has repeatedly said that he has no illusions "about being any hero or superman. I am pretty much the same man I have always been -- except that I have had a few more experiences than before."
Glenn made one more observation. "This is not a stunt in any sense of the word," he said quietly. "We are trying to conduct the whole mission so that it is the first step....a solid scientific foundation for missions to come."
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This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 278174
Full Citation: Astronaut John H. Glenn Jr.--Profile; 1961 - 1962; Fact Sheets and Press Releases for Mercury Atlas 6 (MA-6); Source Files on Project Mercury, 1952 - 1968; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Record Group 255; National Archives at Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/john-glenn-profile, April 24, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.