Mr. Glenn's Flight

February 21, 1962

LT. COL. JOHN H. GLENN Jr.'s flight through space represents a considerable accomplishment. Glenn himself deserves credit for surviving an ordeal that could not have been pleasant and that at the end even caused psychiatrists to worry about his state of mind.

In completing a difficult and risky endeavor despite constant publicity that made failure a disastrous prospect and despite loud public scoffing at ten delays, the U.S. has done itself proud. America has refused to panic at the Russians' edge in the space race; it has calmly and competently chipped away at it--although much remains to be done. Yesterday's congratulatory messages from friendly nations were more than just formal gestures. They expressed relief that in this realm at least the U.S. had begun to vindicate the faith of its allies.