Sean Rossman

USA TODAY

John Glenn's death has sparked remembrances of the man whose varied life as an astronaut and U.S. senator made him an American icon.

But he was more than a risk-taker and statesman. He was better than all of us. Here are some interesting facts about the American hero:

He orbited the globe more than 100 times

Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth, would do it more than 100 times.

He first circled the globe in 1962, when he went around the world three times and then plunged into the Atlantic Ocean. In a later trip, he would circle the globe another 134 times.

He's the oldest person to go into space

In 1998, the 77-year-old climbed aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, becoming the oldest person ever to go into space. NASA did a number of medical tests on Glenn in preparation for the flight and after the trip.

He flew 149 military combat missions

Glenn, who got his first taste of flying as an 8-year-old, flew 149 combat missions in World War II and the Korean War.

His plane was hit by enemy fire 12 different times.

Some thought his eyes would change shape

Prior to Glenn's first entry into space, ophthalmologists feared Glenn's eyes would change shape or that his vision would be so rattled he would be unable to see the aircraft's instrument panel.

Five high schools are named after him

At least five high school's bear Glenn's name, including the former New Concord (Ohio) High School, where he graduated in 1939.

He was president of RC Cola

Glenn served as vice president of Royal Crown Cola shortly after he dipped out of an early run for the U.S. Senate. He became president of RC two years later.

He ran for president

Glenn, who served 24 years as a U.S. senator from Ohio, made a run for president of the United States in 1984.

He dropped his bid when his campaign failed to gain steam.

He subdued his own attacker after being punched in the face on TV

In 1989, Glenn was punched in the jaw while recording a television interview at the Smithsonian Institution, UPI reported.

The man who slugged Glenn, 31-year-old Michael John Breen, was arrested after being subdued by the senator, UPI reported. Breen said he punched Glenn because he wanted to bring attention to dreams he had about future events, which included a massive earthquake.

Related stories:



John Glenn, American space-race hero, dead at age 95

John and Annie Glenn: A true love story

Memorable John Glenn quotes

Space pros: Glenn had the real 'right stuff'

Bill Sternberg: John Glenn, the last hero