President Barack Obama Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff for John Glenn

President Barack Obama has officially ordered all flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of former astronaut and US Senator John Glenn.

Glenn was admitted to a hospital at Ohio State University Dec. 8 and passed away the same day. It is not yet clear what led to his admission, but Glenn previously had a stroke and underwent a heart valve replacement in 2014.

"The last of America's first astronauts has left us, but propelled by their example we know that our future here on Earth compels us to keep reaching for the heavens," President Barack Obama said in a statement following Glenn's passing. "On behalf of a grateful nation, Godspeed, John Glenn."

He is survived by his wife Annie and children John and Carolyn.

You can read Obama's full order below.

As a mark of respect for the memory of John Glenn, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-first.

BARACK OBAMA

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