A nation of 180 million people narrowed its selection of the first man to invade space to a few hundred likely candidates, then a few score, then again to the seven well-publicized Mercury astronauts. Last week, with all the nonchalance of Casey Stengel reeling off a pre-game batting order, Project Mercury Director Robert Gilruth narrowed the choice to three. The trio: Marine Lieut. Colonel John Glenn Jr., 39; Air Force Captain Virgil Grissom, 34; Navy Commander Alan Shepard Jr., 37. After the initial manned flight is scheduled—perhaps in two months—one of the three will be chosen to ride a Redstone-borne...
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