Born in Maupin, Oregon, Cadet Crabtree registered for the draft on 30 Jun 1942. While training to become a Pilot with the 7th Training Group, he was killed in a training accident when his and another plane collided over Phoenix, Arizona. He was survived by his parents and sister.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35292184
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx719t22q#page/8/mode/1up/search/crabtree (pg 8)
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx71bn234#page/8/mode/1up/search/crabtree (pg 8)
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx71b9631#page/5/mode/1up/search/crabtree (pg 5)
https://www.oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:fx71b9606#page/35/mode/1up/search/crabtree (pg 33)
http://goldstarfamilyregistry.com/heroes/dean-crabtree-106780