Major League Baseball

Space pioneer John Glenn flew fighter planes with Ted Williams in the Korean War

Published Dec. 14, 2016 8:41 a.m. ET

Chris Strauss

The first American to orbit the Earth. A U.S. senator from Ohio for 24 years. Oldest man to go into space.

John Glenn, who accomplished those feats and many more during an extraordinary life, died Thursday at 95 in Columbus, Ohio. But before Glenn made his first journey into outer space, he flew 59 combat missions in World War II, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

He followed that up with another 90 combat missions in the Korean War, where his co-pilot on many of them happened to be another American legend in baseball Hall of Fame outfielder Ted Williams.

Glenn told The Associated Press about serving with Teddy Ballgame following Williams' death in 2002.

Glenn was honored with numerous tributes after news of his passing on Thursday, including one from Ohio State, where he served as an adjunct professor and served as the namesake for the school's College of Public Affairs.

?? @OhioState Forever a Buckeye. pic.twitter.com/5DCLxcESuG
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) December 8, 2016

The Corps lost a legend today.

Col. John Glenn— an astronaut, a senator, a Marine— died at the age of 95.

Semper Fi, Sir. pic.twitter.com/xUShqC9JaZ
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) December 8, 2016

We are saddened by the loss of Sen. John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth. A true American hero. Godspeed, John Glenn. Ad astra. pic.twitter.com/89idi9r1NB
— NASA (@NASA) December 8, 2016