| State delegate | Maryland |
|---|---|
| District | Cecil County |
| Term start | March 30, 1957 |
| Term end | 1958 |
| Predecessor | Guy Johnson |
| Alongside | William F. Burkley and F. Reynolds Mackie |
| Birth name | Ralph Wilson McCool |
| Birth date | October 28, 1918 |
| Birth place | Elkton, Maryland, U.S. |
| Death date | July 21, 2011 (aged 92) |
| Resting place | Bethel Cemetery |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Emma Grace McCabe (m. 1946) |
| Occupation | Politician · military pilot |
| Branch | United States Army Air Force |
|---|---|
| Rank | Brevet colonel |
| Unit | 445th Bombing Group |
| 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.[1]
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.[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
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
- ^ "Ralph McCool Obituary". legacy.com. 2011-07-24. Archived 2023-07-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ "Historical List, House of Delegates, Cecil County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. 2000-02-01. Retrieved 2023-07-11.
- ^ "Quinn Seen as Choice for Delegate". The Daily Times. 1957-03-30. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-07-11. – via Newspapers.com
- ^ Smith, Odell M. (1957-03-30). "Teacher Pay Parley Set". The Baltimore Sun. p. 19. Retrieved 2023-07-11. – via Newspapers.com
- ^ "McCabe–McCool". The Midland Journal. 1946-12-13. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-07-11. – via Newspapers.com