Ralph W. McCool

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Ralph W. McCool
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the Cecil County district
In office
March 30, 1957 – 1958
Preceded byGuy Johnson
Personal details
Born
Ralph Wilson McCool

(1918-10-28)October 28, 1918
Elkton, Maryland, U.S.
DiedJuly 21, 2011(2011-07-21) (aged 92)
Resting placeBethel Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Emma Grace McCabe
(m. 1946)
Children3
Occupation
  • Politician
  • military pilot
Military career
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Force
RankBrevet colonel
Unit445th Bombing Group
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross

Ralph Wilson McCool (October 28, 1918 – July 21, 2011) was an American politician and military pilot from Maryland. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County, from 1957 to 1958.

Early life[edit]

Ralph Wilson McCool was born on October 28, 1918, in Elkton, Maryland, to Marion (née Smith) and George Washington McCool.[1]

Career[edit]

McCool served with the 445th Bombing Group during World War II. He flew the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. He flew over 35 missions over Germany. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross following his 25th mission. He was a member of the Maryland National Guard 29th Division Association and retired with the rank of brevet colonel.[1]

McCool was a Democrat. He was appointed to replace Guy Johnson as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County. He served from March 30, 1957, to 1958.[2][3][4] He served on the Ways and Means committee.[1]

McCool worked at Maryland State Lottery.[1]

Personal life[edit]

McCool flew as a hobby after the war. In his 80s, McCool made tandem jumps from 14,000 feet, gaining him a reputation with the United States Parachute Association. One of his jumps was televised on the Outdoor Channel.[1]

McCool married Emma Grace McCabe in 1946.[1][5] They had three sons, Geoffrey Edward, Ralph Wilson II and Findlay McCabe.[1] Later in life, McCool lived in Leeds.[1]

McCool died on July 21, 2011. He was buried at Bethel Cemetery.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ralph McCool Obituary". legacy.com. July 24, 2011. Archived from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  2. ^ "Historical List, House of Delegates, Cecil County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 1, 2000. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "Quinn Seen as Choice for Delegate". The Daily Times. March 30, 1957. p. 1. Retrieved July 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  4. ^ Smith, Odell M. (March 30, 1957). "Teacher Pay Parley Set". The Baltimore Sun. p. 19. Retrieved July 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  5. ^ "McCabe–McCool". The Midland Journal. December 13, 1946. p. 1. Retrieved July 11, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon