Apollo Soucek

Apollo Soucek (1897–19 July 1955) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy, who was a record-breaking test pilot during 1929-1930, served in World War II, and was commander of Carrier Division Three during the Korean War, ending his career as Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics.

Biography

Soucek was born in Medford, Oklahoma. He was the son of Johann "John" Soucek, who had been born in Ovčáry, Bohemia (then part of the Austria-Hungary, now in the Czech Republic), but had emigrated to the United States at the age of 7 with his family. Arriving in June 1875 aboard the Norddeutscher Lloyd ship SS Ohio, the family—Mathias, Maria, and their six children—first settled in Nebraska, then moved to Kansas, before taking part in the Cherokee Strip Land Run in 1893, and settling in Medford.

Early career

Soucek joined the United States Navy in 1918 and was assigned to the battleship Missouri (BB-11) with the rank of midshipman. He was commissioned as an ensign on 3 June 1921. He then served aboard the Mississippi (BB-41). In February 1924 Soucek reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola for flight training, qualifying as a naval aviator in October. He was assigned to the Navy's first aircraft carrier Langley (CV-1) in November, and served as Assistant Flight Officer of Observation Squadron 2. In January 1925 he transferred to the Maryland (BB-46) to serve as Assistant Navigator and Junior Aviation Officer of Observation Squadron 1. In May 1927 he was assigned to the Naval Aircraft Factory in Philadelphia, before transferring to the Bureau of Aeronautics in July to serve in the Power Plant Design Section.