A look back: A year ago today, we lost an American hero

1) He grew up in small-town Ohio, married his childhood sweetheart in 1943 and served as a fighter pilot in two wars.

Related: John Glenn, the ‘last true national hero,’ dead at 95

2) He was a test pilot, an astronaut and a U.S. Senator who also ran for president in 1984.

3) He became the first American to orbit the Earth on Feb. 20, 1962.

Related: Ohio lawmakers seek more honors for John Glenn

4) In 1998, he became the oldest person to fly in space as a 77-year-old crew member on the shuttle Discovery.

5) The Ohio House may soon vote on a resolution urging Congress to award the Congressional Gold Medal to John and Annie Glenn.

Related: Photos: John Glenn laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery

Ohio held a memorial service for Glenn in Columbus in December and he was laid to rest in a private funeral ceremony in April at Arlington National Cemetery.

He is survived by his widow, Annie Glenn, and their two children, Lyn and Dave, and their two grandchildren.