Lt. Colonel Ralph D. Cole, one of the twenty original founders of the American Legion. Ralph D. Cole was elected Commander of the Department of Ohio in 1932. He died as a result of an automobile crash in October 1932 while carrying out his duties as Department Commander. The post's original name was the John Hancock Post, but was renamed in December 1932 in honor of Colonel Cole after his untimely death Colonel Cole was a Lawyer, state legislator and Congressional Representative from the State of Ohio.

Lt. Colonel Ralph D. Cole