Apollo Soucek
Encyclopedia
Apollo Soucek 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
.
. 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 , 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.
. He was commissioned as an ensign
on 3 June 1921. He then served aboard the . 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 in November, and served as Assistant Flight Officer of Observation Squadron 2. In January 1925 he transferred to the 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.
Flying the Wright Apache Soucek set a series of flight altitude record
s. On May 8, 1929, he set the world altitude record for landplanes by flying to the height of 39140 feet (11,929.9 m), and on June 4, he set the altitude record for seaplanes, also in an Apache, reaching the height of 38560 feet (11,753.1 m). On June 4, 1930, Soucek flew an Apache landplane equipped with a 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340
radial engine
to a height of 43166 feet (13,157 m) over NAS Anacostia, regaining the world record he had held in 1929.
In June 1930 Soucek returned to sea duty serving as Squadron Flight Officer of Fighter Squadron 3 on the carrier , and as Gunnery Officer and Executive Officer of Fighter Squadron 3 aboard . In June 1932 he returned to the Naval Aircraft Factory to serve as Assistant to the Superintendent of the Aeronautical Engineering Laboratory. From June 1935 he served as Hangar Deck, Flight Deck, and Senior Watch Officer aboard , returning to the Lexington in June 1937 to serve as the Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 2
. Soucek went back to the Bureau of Aeronautics in May 1938 to serve as Assistant to the Chief of the Personnel Division.
on Tokyo on 18 April. In January 1943 was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations in the Pacific Fleet
. From July 1943 he served as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Chief of Naval Air Intermediate Training Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Air Training, based at NAS Pensacola. In March 1945 he was appointed Officer-in-Charge of the fitting-out
of the carrier , becoming the first commander on her commissioning on 27 October 1945.
. From 1949 he served as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Aviation Plans, and Director of the Aviation Plans and Program Division. He spent most of 1951 in London
as U.S. Naval Attaché for Air
, before serving in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from November until February 1952, when he was appointed commander of Carrier Division 3/Task Force 77, flying his flag
aboard , supporting operations in the Korean War
.
On 18 June 1953 Soucek was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, however in February 1955 he became ill, quitting his post on March 4, and was transferred to the Retired List on 1 July. He died of a heart attack on 19 July 1955, at the age of 58, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 26 July.
On 4 June 1957 Naval Air Station Oceana
was officially named Apollo Soucek Field.
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, who was a record-breaking test pilot during 1929-1930, served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and was commander of Carrier Division Three during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, ending his career as Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics
Bureau of Aeronautics
The Bureau of Aeronautics was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems...
.
Biography
Soucek was born in Medford, OklahomaMedford, Oklahoma
Medford is a city in and the county seat of Grant County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,172 at the 2000 census.-History:Medford was founded by Hobart Johnstone Whitley, a land developer, banker, farmer and Rock Island Railroad executive....
. He was the son of Johann "John" Soucek, who had been born in Ovčáry, Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
(then part of the Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
, now in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
), but had emigrated to the United States at the age of 7 with his family. Arriving in June 1875 aboard the Norddeutscher Lloyd
Norddeutscher Lloyd
Norddeutsche Lloyd was a German shipping company. It was founded by Hermann Henrich Meier and Eduard Crüsemann in Bremen on February 20, 1857. It developed into one of the most important German shipping companies of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was instrumental in the economic...
ship , 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
Land Run of 1893
The Land Run of 1893, also known as the Cherokee Strip Land Run, marked the opening of the Cherokee Outlet to the public. The run happened on September 16, 1893 at noon with more than 100,000 participants hoping to claim land. The land offices for the run were set up in Perry, Enid, Woodward, and...
in 1893, and settling in Medford.
Early career
Soucek joined the United States Navy in 1918 and was assigned to the battleship with the rank of midshipmanMidshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
. He was commissioned as an ensign
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
on 3 June 1921. He then served aboard the . In February 1924 Soucek reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
for flight training, qualifying as a naval aviator
United States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
in October. He was assigned to the Navy's first aircraft carrier in November, and served as Assistant Flight Officer of Observation Squadron 2. In January 1925 he transferred to the to serve as Assistant Navigator and Junior Aviation Officer of Observation Squadron 1. In May 1927 he was assigned to the Naval Aircraft Factory
Naval Aircraft Factory
The Naval Aircraft Factory was established by the United States Navy in 1918 at Philadelphia in order to assist in solving the problem of aircraft supply which faced the Navy Department upon the entry of the U.S. into World War I...
in Philadelphia, before transferring to the Bureau of Aeronautics
Bureau of Aeronautics
The Bureau of Aeronautics was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems...
in July to serve in the Power Plant Design Section.
Flying the Wright Apache Soucek set a series of flight altitude record
Flight altitude record
These are the records set for going the highest in the atmosphere from the age of ballooning onward. Some records are certified by Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.-Fixed-wing aircraft:-Piston-driven propeller aeroplane:...
s. On May 8, 1929, he set the world altitude record for landplanes by flying to the height of 39140 feet (11,929.9 m), and on June 4, he set the altitude record for seaplanes, also in an Apache, reaching the height of 38560 feet (11,753.1 m). On June 4, 1930, Soucek flew an Apache landplane equipped with a 450 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340
Pratt & Whitney R-1340
|-See also:* Pratt & Whitney Wasp series* Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Junior* Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior* Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp-Bibliography:...
radial engine
Radial engine
The radial engine is a reciprocating type internal combustion engine configuration in which the cylinders point outward from a central crankshaft like the spokes on a wheel...
to a height of 43166 feet (13,157 m) over NAS Anacostia, regaining the world record he had held in 1929.
In June 1930 Soucek returned to sea duty serving as Squadron Flight Officer of Fighter Squadron 3 on the carrier , and as Gunnery Officer and Executive Officer of Fighter Squadron 3 aboard . In June 1932 he returned to the Naval Aircraft Factory to serve as Assistant to the Superintendent of the Aeronautical Engineering Laboratory. From June 1935 he served as Hangar Deck, Flight Deck, and Senior Watch Officer aboard , returning to the Lexington in June 1937 to serve as the Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 2
VFA-2
Strike Fighter Squadron 2 also known as the "Bounty Hunters" is a United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Their tail code is NE and their callsign is "Bullet"...
. Soucek went back to the Bureau of Aeronautics in May 1938 to serve as Assistant to the Chief of the Personnel Division.
World War II
In May 1940 he was assigned to as Navigator, moving to the on 20 October 1941 to serve as Air Officer. Soucek was appointed Executive Officer in 1942, and served in that capacity during the Doolittle RaidDoolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
on Tokyo on 18 April. In January 1943 was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations in the Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
. From July 1943 he served as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Chief of Naval Air Intermediate Training Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Air Training, based at NAS Pensacola. In March 1945 he was appointed Officer-in-Charge of the fitting-out
Fitting-out
Fitting-out, or "outfitting”, is the process in modern shipbuilding that follows the float-out of a vessel and precedes sea trials. It is the period when all the remaining construction of the ship is completed and readied for delivery to her owners...
of the carrier , becoming the first commander on her commissioning on 27 October 1945.
Later career
From January 1946 he commanded Carrier Division 14, and from August was commander of Fleet Air Wing 1. On 15 July 1947 he was appointed commander of the Naval Air Test Center at Naval Air Station Patuxent RiverNaval Air Station Patuxent River
"Pax River" redirects here. For the river, see Patuxent River.Naval Air Station Patuxent River , also known as NAS Pax River, is a United States Naval Air Station located in St. Mary's County, Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of the Patuxent River. It is home to the U.S...
. From 1949 he served as Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Aviation Plans, and Director of the Aviation Plans and Program Division. He spent most of 1951 in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as U.S. Naval Attaché for Air
Air attaché
An air attaché is an Air Force officer who is part of a diplomatic mission; this post is normally filled by a high-ranking officer.An air attaché typically represents the chief of his home air force in the foreign country where he serves. The day-to-day responsibilities include maintaining contacts...
, before serving in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from November until February 1952, when he was appointed commander of Carrier Division 3/Task Force 77, flying his flag
Flag Officer
A flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark where the officer exercises command. The term usually refers to the senior officers in an English-speaking nation's navy, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks; in...
aboard , supporting operations in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
On 18 June 1953 Soucek was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, however in February 1955 he became ill, quitting his post on March 4, and was transferred to the Retired List on 1 July. He died of a heart attack on 19 July 1955, at the age of 58, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on 26 July.
On 4 June 1957 Naval Air Station Oceana
Naval Air Station Oceana
Naval Air Station Oceana or NAS Oceana is a military airport located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is a United States Navy Master Jet Base. It is also known as Apollo Soucek Field, named after Lieutenant Apollo Soucek, a Navy Test Pilot who set the global altitude record in 1930 by flying a...
was officially named Apollo Soucek Field.
Family
Apollo's younger brother Zeus (1899–1967), also joined the Navy, became an aviator, and set speed, distance and duration records piloting a Naval Aircraft Factory PN-12 in May 1928.External links
- "Sky High", TIMETime (magazine)Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
, May 20, 1929 - "How I Broke the World's Altitude Record", Modern MechanixMechanix IllustratedMechanix Illustrated was an American magazine founded in the first half of the 20th century to compete against the older Popular Science and Popular Mechanics...
, September 1930 - Navy and Marine Corps Air Stations and Fields Named for Naval Aviators and Others
