Obama Says John Glenn 'Lifted the Hopes of a Nation'

— -- The death of legendary astronaut John Glenn sparked an outpouring of tributes, including from President Obama, who said the space pioneer "lifted the hopes of a nation."

"With John's passing, our nation has lost an icon and Michelle and I have lost a friend," Obama said. "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."

Obama called Glenn, who died at 95, the "last of America's first astronauts."

"John always had the right stuff, inspiring generations of scientists, engineers and astronauts who will take us to Mars and beyond -- not just to visit, but to stay,"

Astronaut and Senator John Glenn's Life in Pictures

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John Glenn's official NASA portrait, 1961.

NASA

The president said the nation has "lost an icon" and that he and Michelle Obama have "lost a friend."

Tributes to Glenn, who was the first American to orbit the earth and also served as Ohio senator, began pouring into social media immediately after news of his death broke today.

The U.S. Marine Corps called Glenn a U.S. hero and one "Marine Corps Aviation's legendary trailblazers."

"Colonel John Glenn Jr. led a monumental life from his time serving as a fighter pilot in WWII and the Korean War to becoming the first American to orbit the Earth and fifth person in space," the Marine Corps said in a statement.

Several public figures took to social media to pay tribute to the space pioneer.

Astronaut Community

NASA

Retired Astronaut Scott Kelly

The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson

Public Figures

President-elect Donald Trump

Vice President-elect Mike Pence

House Speaker Paul Ryan

“John Glenn was an American hero. As a military pilot, astronaut, and U.S. senator, he never lost his passion for exploration and public service. On behalf of the House, I extend my deepest sympathies to Annie and the entire Glenn family. May his memory live on every time we look up at the stars.”

Educator Bill Nye

House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.)

Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)

U.S. Marines

Ohio Gov. John Kasich

Ohio State

Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin

Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Ohio)

Dan Rather

Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.)

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio)

Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio)

Columbus Blue Jackets

Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio)

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.)

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.)

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

“John Glenn is the last of the original seven American astronauts who truly had the ‘right stuff.’ On top of paving the way for the rest of us, he was also a first-class gentleman and an unabashed patriot. He leaves his wife Annie, who always stood by him as he ventured into the unknown cosmos.”

Rep. Scott Tipton (R-Colo.)

Ohio State Sen. Jay Costa

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)

Buzz Aldrin, former NASA astronaut and Apollo 11 pilot

"With the news today I’m saddened again to hear that we have lost the pioneer of space flight for the United States, second only to Yuri Gagarin, and he will always go down in history as certainly one of the most influential officers in the Marine Corps and of course as one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts. I am very sorry that he has departed us with his wisdom. I join that crowd of people and the entire nation and the world in paying homage to his service."

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter

"In service to his country as a Marine, in space, and in the Senate, and throughout his life, Senator John Glenn embodied 'the right stuff.' Our military in particular benefited from his dedication and courage, first as a combat pilot in World War II and Korea, and later as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. But just as important as what John Glenn accomplished is how he accomplished it: with a combination of fierce determination and profound humility, and always with integrity. I am deeply saddened by his loss, and I join all Americans inspired by his heroic example in expressing my condolences to his wife, Annie, and the Glenn family."

ABC News' Lucien Bruggeman contributed to this report.