Background
Soucek, Apollo was born on February 24, 1897 in Lamont, Oklahoma, United States. Son of John Gothard and Lydia (Pishny) Soucek.
Soucek, Apollo was born on February 24, 1897 in Lamont, Oklahoma, United States. Son of John Gothard and Lydia (Pishny) Soucek.
Graduated from the United States Naval Academy, 1921.
May 27, 1930. Commissioned ensign United States Navy, 1921, and advanced through grades to captain capacity of commanding officer, October 27, 1945. promoted to flag rank, March 2, 1946. Qualified as naval aviator October 1924. Established world’s aircraft altitude record.
39.140 feet, June 4, 1929, seaplane, 38.800 foot (approximately).
June 8, 1929. re-established world’s altitude record, any type aircraft, 43.166 feet, June 8, 1930. Commissioned aircraft carrier United States Ship Franklin Doctorate. Roosevelt as captain, United States Navy, October 27, 1945.
Air officer United States Ship Hornet-CV-8. Executive officer when ship sunk, battle Santa Cruz Islands, 1941-1942.
Operations officer Vice Admiral Tower’s staff, 1943.
Commander Fleet Air Wing One, 1946-1947, assistant chief naval operations for aviation plans, 1949-1951. Naval attache and naval attache for air London July-November 1951. Chief bureau aeronautics Navy Department, since 1953.
Married Agnes Eleanor O’Connor.