John Glenn, 1959
In the 1950s, Mercury 7 was going to be launched into space, and so LIFE magazine sent Ralph Morse to capture it in the form of a photograph. For several weeks Morse spent time with the astronauts and was around so much that they decided to jokingly call him the eighth.
John Glenn 1959
It was John Glenn who came up with the nickname. Thanks to Morse’s photo, John Glenn became the face of the US space program.
The War Effort, 1944
LIFE photographers were renowned for their bravery. One such photographer who, among others, spent time photographing soldiers in close quarters while the action was underway was W. Eugene Smith.
The War Effort 1944
This photo, in particular, was taken during the Battle of Saipan. Look over his shoulder, and this soldier appears steadfast but weary of the battle. It was almost as if he was reassuring the viewer that they would get the job done and come home soon.
