John Glenn, 92, the first American to orbit the Earth, has emerged from successful heart surgery and is doing wonderfully, a hospital spokesman said.
“He’s in great shape,” wrapping up recovery at his Columbus, Ohio, home, said Hank Wilson, the director of communications for the John Glenn School of Public Affairs at Ohio State University, CNN reported.
He underwent a heart-valve replacement last month.
Mr. Glenn, who also served as a Democratic senator, piloted the Mercury space capsule “Friendship 7” around Earth on Feb. 20, 1962. His orbit consisted of three-round trips in less than five hours. Now, he’s the last surviving member of the original seven U.S. astronauts who made up the Project Mercury team.
On Oct. 29, 1998, Mr. Glenn traveled back to space in the space shuttle Discovery for a nine-day mission.
In addition to serving as a senator from 1974 to 1999, Mr. Glenn also sought the White House office in 1984.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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