Apollo Soucek
| Apollo Soucek | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Sockem |
| Born |
February 24, 1897 Lamont, Oklahoma |
| Died | July 22, 1955 (aged 58) Washington, D.C. |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1918–1955 |
| Rank |
 Vice Admiral
|
| Commands held |
Fighter Squadron 2 USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) Carrier Division 3/Task Force 77 |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II Korean War |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal |
Apollo Soucek (February 24, 1897–July 22, 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.
Soucek was born in Lamont, 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.
Soucek entered the United States Naval Academy in 1918 and served with the rank of Midshipman aboard the battleship Missouri (BB-11) during World War I. 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.
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