Dear sir,
I'm doing a study of my uncle's Navy career and finding some wonderful information. His name was Apollo Soucek. He is in the Naval Aviation Hall of Honor and died with many honors. In 1930 he broke the altitude barrier between atmosphere and space.(as it was known at the time).His career spanned Naval Aviation from WWI through the jet age bombing in the Korean war. I believe he also raced in the early Cleveland and Bendix air races. Either that or he participated in the Navy Flyover at their opening ceremonies.
He and two other Rear Admirals were called the Gray Angels. My uncle was Commanding officer at the Pautuxant Md. test center at the time. In the Battle of Midway he was air officer on the Hornet and gave the final Go to the Doolittle Raiders from the deck of the Hornet. The Naval air Station At Virginia Beach Va. is named after him, otherwise known as Oceana NAS.
I'm attempting to get a story on the Arlington Cemetery website as an honor to his memory.I don't think people give him the credit he deserves in the history of aviation.
Do you have any information on him? Do your members have any ideas where I can get pictures or information about him? I'm also trying to find out whatever happened to the Wright Apache airplane he helped design and took him to the record height of 43,166 ft.
Thanks for letting me dream
Don McCann
8 Willowview Drive
Penfield , NY. 14526
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