John Glenn died today at the age of 95.

Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, had been hospitalized for the last week at James Cancer Center at Ohio State University in Columbus--although the hospital said his admission there did not necessarily mean he had cancer. Glenn had a heart-valve replacement surgery in 2014 and a stroke shortly after that surgery.

Glenn's flight around the planet lasted just three orbits, but it established the United States as being on par with the Russians for space exploration. Ironically, Glenn was not able to orbit the earth again with the Mercury missions because President Kennedy thought he was too valuable a national icon to risk losing in a mission-related accident.

Glenn was able to return to space in 1998 when he joined the crew as a Payload Specialist for a flight of Space Shuttle Discovery. Glenn became the oldest person in history to orbit the earth at 77 years old.

While many know of his space exploration, few know of his extensive background as a pilot during World War II and the Korean conflict.

Glenn flew 59 combat missions while serving in the Pacific during WWII. He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses as part of his service. He also flew 90 missions during the Korean War.

He also was the first man to successfully complete a transcontinental supersonic flight.

He served as a Democratic Senator from Ohio from 1974 until 1999.

Glenn is survived by his wife and two children.