This amazing clip shows “true American hero” John Glenn’s finest hour

John Glenn, fighter pilot, astronaut and politician, has died aged 95.

Glenn, who fought in both the Second World War and the Korean War as a Marine, went on to find fame as the first American to orbit the Earth in space, when in 1962 he made the trip in a space capsule called Friendship 7. He later served as a Democrat Senator for Ohio for 25 years - and even made a return trip to space in 1998 at the age of 77. President Barack Obama was one of the first to pay tribute, saying in a statement: "John spent his life breaking barriers, from defending our freedom as a decorated Marine Corps fighter pilot in World War II and Korea, to setting a transcontinental speed record, to becoming, at age 77, the oldest human to touch the stars." He added: "I have lost a friend." https://twitter.com/BuzzFeedNews/status/806971540382355456 This video shows the historic flight he took in 1962, complete with narration that makes it sound like a 1950s sci-fi space drama, including the line "... as his rendezvous with space approaches." NASA were also quick to pay tribute, calling him "A true American hero." https://twitter.com/NASA/status/806960800669794305 Glenn once famously quipped about the nature of funding of government projects: https://twitter.com/CMichaelGibson/status/806966365991137280 Here's a snapshot of his life, from Association Press: