Ralph W. McCool
{{short description|American politician (1918–2011)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ralph W. McCool
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| state_delegate = Maryland
| district = Cecil County
| term_start = March 30, 1957
| term_end = 1958
| predecessor = Guy Johnson
| successor =
| alongside = William F. Burkley and F. Reynolds Mackie
| birth_name = Ralph Wilson McCool
| birth_date = {{birth date|1918|10|28}}
| birth_place = Elkton, Maryland, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2011|7|21|1918|10|28}}
| death_place =
| resting_place = Bethel Cemetery
| party = Democratic
| spouse = {{marriage|Emma Grace McCabe|1946}}
| children = 3
| education =
| alma_mater =
| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|military pilot}}
| signature =
| module = {{Infobox military person |embed=yes
| branch = United States Army Air Force
| serviceyears =
| rank = Brevet colonel
| servicenumber =
| unit = 445th Bombing Group
| commands =
| battles = World War II
| awards = Distinguished 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
Ralph Wilson McCool was born on October 28, 1918, in Elkton, Maryland, to Marion (née Smith) and George Washington McCool.{{Cite news |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/delawareonline/name/ralph-mccool-obituary?id=20421577 |title=Ralph McCool Obituary |date=2011-07-24 |website=legacy.com |access-date=2023-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711113112/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/delawareonline/name/ralph-mccool-obituary?id=20421577 |archive-date=2023-07-11 |url-status=live}}
Career
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.
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.{{cite web |url=https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/speccol/sc2600/sc2685/house/html/cehouse.html |title=Historical List, House of Delegates, Cecil County (1790-1974) |website=Maryland Manual On-Line |publisher=Maryland State Archives |date=2000-02-01 |access-date=2023-07-11}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-quinn-seen-as-choice-for/128025627/ |title=Quinn Seen as Choice for Delegate |date=1957-03-30 |newspaper=The Daily Times |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-07-11}}{{Open access}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun-teacher-pay-parley-set/128025699/ |title=Teacher Pay Parley Set |date=1957-03-30 |last=Smith |first=Odell M. |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |page=19 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-07-11}}{{Open access}} He served on the Ways and Means committee.
Personal life
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.
McCool married Emma Grace McCabe in 1946.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-midland-journal-mccabe-mccool-13-de/128027525/ |title=McCabe–McCool |date=1946-12-13 |newspaper=The Midland Journal |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=2023-07-11}}{{Open access}} They had three sons, Geoffrey Edward, Ralph Wilson II and Findlay McCabe. Later in life, McCool lived in Leeds.
McCool died on July 21, 2011. He was buried at Bethel Cemetery.
References
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Category:People from Elkton, Maryland
Category:Politicians from Cecil County, Maryland
Category:United States Army Air Forces bomber pilots of World War II
Category:Maryland National Guard personnel
Category:Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates
Category:20th-century members of the Maryland General Assembly