The 32 Elite

The Elite 19
During the few moments of frivolity given to new Autobots during the Great War, the younger warriors, scientists and medics-to-be would oftentimes regale themselves by telling the tale of "The Elite 19": the story of the fated crash of the Ark spacecraft, which claimed the lives of all 19 Autobots aboard, including celebrated Autobot leader Optimus Prime. For nearly four million years, the story went as follows:

Desperately low on energon, Autobot leader Optimus Prime made a last-ditch effort to secure a new source of fuel by recruiting 18 of the top Autobots in their field to assist him in the reconnaissance mission. But somewhere out in space, their craft was ambushed by a Decepticon elite crew of their own, led by Megatron and Starscream. What happened after that was unknown, but it resulted in the loss of everyone on board.

The story is so well known that it was virtually imprinted into every Autobot's memory banks, as younger Autobots pretended to be the noted Autobot that matched their personality and skill set. Some chose to make believe that the Autobots landed on another planet while others believed an explosion destroyed both vehicles. Whatever side an Autobot took, the story of the Elite 19 was treated like Homer's The Odyssey was treated in human classrooms today.

Criticisms
Though most Autobots hold the story of The Elite 19 in near-mythical regard, other Autobots weren't so kind. The more intellectual line of Autobots criticized Optimus Prime's choice of putting so many high-ranking officials in the Ark and not providing any other crafts for protection. These scholars believe had some "second in command" leaders like Prowl or Jazz stayed behind, the Autobots may have been able to vanquish the Decepticons since they also suffered the loss of their first and second-in command.