life:

Happy Birthday to the legendary John Glenn who turns 95 today. No person alive has been more closely associated, for so long, with America’s triumphs in the early days of the Space Race than John Glenn, and few Americans in history have served their country in as many high-profile and varied roles: First American to orbit the earth; decorated Marine Corps veteran (in both WWII and Korea); novice, eager politician; seasoned, savvy, multi-term United States senator; space shuttle crew member—across seven decades, Glenn has lived much of his personal and professional life in the public eye. See and read more on LIFE.com. (Ralph Morse—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images) #LIFElegends #NASA #JohnGlenn

Happy Birthday John Glenn!