"Freedom Man Dies in Navy Plane Crash" noted the Watsonville Register-Pajaronian.

Ralph Martin Hameetman was born in New Jersey on November 7, 1920, to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hameetman. At some time the Hameetman family settled in Freedom, California. Information regarding his family, early life, or the date of his arrival in the Pajaro Valley has not been located.

At an unspecified location and date Ralph Hameetman enlisted in the US Navy. Following completion of boot camp, he was trained as an aviation ordnanceman.

On September 4, 1945, AOM First Class Ralph Martin Hameetman was one of six navy men from the naval auxiliary air station at Oxnard who were on a routine flight when their plane was involved in a mid air collision near El Rio in Ventura County. The two planes, both US Navy TBM- 3s carrying three-man crews collided, burst into flames and crashed into a lemon orchard. His remains were turned over to Monterey County; however, the location of his burial has not been identified.

(WRP September 8, 1945 1:4; CDR)