Dr. Ralph Hayward Simmons, from Massachusetts, graduated from Tufts Medical College in 1913. He entered the Army Medical Corps as a reserve officer in 1917 and attended medical officers training at Camp Benjamin Harrison in June 1917. He entered the Army Medical Corps with the rank of LT. He was promoted to CPT during WWI and was the commanding officer of the 307th Ambulance Company, attached to 77th Division. He was offered a Regular Army Commission, with the rank of CPT in 1920, and accepted.