Armstrong Honors Glenn 50 Years After His Orbit

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The first man to set foot on the moon says the first American to orbit the Earth was "no ordinary pilot."

Astronaut Neil Armstrong was the surprise speaker Monday at an Ohio State University gala honoring John Glenn on the 50th anniversary of Glenn's historic 1962 space flight.

Armstrong says there was a need for leadership in the space program and Glenn "literally rose to the occasion."

Glenn has had his share of accomplishments. But the former astronaut and U.S. senator from Ohio recently told The Associated Press he envies Armstrong and wishes he could have been part of the first manned moon landing in 1969.

Glenn got another surprise earlier Monday when NASA enabled him to speak live with crew members from the International Space Station.