Jack's Son Posted March 30, 2013 #1 Posted March 30, 2013 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. Flying the Wright Apache Soucek set a series of flight altitude records. On May 8, 1929, he set the world altitude record for landplanes by flying to the height of 39,140 feet (11,930 m), and on June 4, he set the altitude record for seaplanes, also in an Apache, reaching the height of 38,560 feet (11,750 m). On June 4, 1930, Soucek flew an Apache landplane equipped with a 450 horsepower (340 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-1340 radial engine to a height of 43,166 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 Lexington (CV-2), and as Gunnery Officer and Executive Officer of Fighter Squadron 3 aboard Saratoga (CV-3). 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 Ranger (CV-4), 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. World War II In May 1940 he was assigned to Yorktown (CV-5) as Navigator, moving to the Hornet (CV-8) on 20 October 1941 to serve as Air Officer. Soucek was appointed Executive Officer in 1942, and served in that capacity during the Doolittle Raid 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 Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42), 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 River. 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 Boxer (CV-21), 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. * Wiki Quote.
Jack's Son Posted March 30, 2013 Author #4 Posted March 30, 2013 This medal IS NOT part of the grouping, it is for display only.
USMCR79 Posted March 30, 2013 #12 Posted March 30, 2013 Robin, A very impressive group - I'm sure it will be well cared for. Thanks for sharing it with us. Bill
History Man Posted March 30, 2013 #15 Posted March 30, 2013 Well worth the wait to see, an absolutely outstanding group! The medals are all top notch and the history is amazing, not to mention the full citation Aug. Frank DFC. Philip
Hobza Posted March 30, 2013 #17 Posted March 30, 2013 What a great group! Especially because of connection with Czech republic from where I´m. I always love to see medals which has been awarded to american soldiers with czech roots. If anybody would have one, I´d be interested anytime. I´ve already seen some czech surnames here on forum - Zasadil, Zajic...etc. Soucek is typical czech surname. Robin, thank you that you showed it here on forum. And I really jealous because of it
CNY Militaria Posted March 30, 2013 #18 Posted March 30, 2013 I love that DFC with the detailed engraving on the back!
jmpmstr Posted March 30, 2013 #19 Posted March 30, 2013 Robin, very nice....I love that you have the singles with the cases and the bar...that bar makes it for me....there is something about a bar like that, that just says HOOAH! When you get tired of looking at it, I will be happy to store it in my cabinet for you
1SG_1st_Cav Posted March 30, 2013 #20 Posted March 30, 2013 What an outstanding piece of military history about a very interesting and dedicated Naval Officer. That group is certainly museum quality. Thanks for sharing. Danny
bobgee Posted March 30, 2013 #21 Posted March 30, 2013 Fabulous group, JS. Congrats on acquiring it. Bob
TLeo Posted March 30, 2013 #22 Posted March 30, 2013 That is an outstanding group for sure! By the way, the air field at NAS Oceana in Va. beach is named Apollo Soucek Field in his honor.
hink441 Posted March 30, 2013 #24 Posted March 30, 2013 Great historical grouping. Thanks for posting and congrats !!!
KASTAUFFER Posted March 31, 2013 #25 Posted March 31, 2013 Nicest DFC I have seen for a long time! Congrats on acquiring this group Robin, Kurt
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