Education: Attended Muskingum College

Spaceflights: Command pilot, Mercury-Atlas 6 (1962)

Entered Naval Aviation Cadet Program in 1942 and was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1943. Was backup pilot for Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) and Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) and was the first American to make an orbital flight in Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7).

Retired from NASA and the Marine Corps in 1964 to join the Royal Crown Cola Company, and to enter politics.

Elected U.S. Senator from Ohio in November 1974 and was re-elected in 1980, 1986, and 1992.