George H. W. Bush mourns late astronaut John Young
Former President George H. W. Bush offered condolences Saturday upon news of the death of astronaut John Young.
Bush said he and Barbara Bush "join our fellow Americans and many friends in the space community in mourning the loss."
His statement says "John was more than a good friend; he was a fearless patriot whose courage and commitment to duty helped our nation push back the horizon of discovery at a critical time. To us, he represented the best in the American spirit — always looking forward, always reaching higher."
Bush also said "John leaves a tremendous legacy of accomplishment, in addition to his wonderful family. May his memory serve to inspire future generations of explorers to dare greatly, act boldly, and serve selflessly."
Young, who walked on the moon and later commanded the first space shuttle flight, has died, according to a statement from NASA. Young was 87.
The space agency said in a statement that Young died Friday night following complications from pneumonia.
NASA said Young was the only agency astronaut to go into space as part of the Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs, and the first to fly into space six times. He was the ninth man to walk on the moon.
He died at home in Houston.
