Help the Fargo Air Museum “Save the Sabre”
North American F-86H Sabre #53-1253 as it currently sits today in Jamestown, ND.
In January 2024, the Fargo Air Museum was awarded indefinite loan of North American F-86H Sabre #53-1253 from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The Fargo Air Museum’s goal is to bring the airframe from Jamestown, ND, and place it on display in front of the Fargo Air Museum. It will serve as a monument to area veterans while wearing the markings of one influential Fargo Air Museum co-founder in particular who flew F-86 Sabres while in the Air Force: the late Maj. General Darrol Schroeder (ret.).
“In 1955, he flew a single seat, single engine F-86 (his favorite plane) across the ocean to Bitburg Air Base, Germany and in 1956 was assigned to Etain Air Base, France.”
Then 2nd Lt. Darrol Schroeder smiles for the camera alongside his favorite aircraft; The North American F-86 Sabre.
Darrol’s Life
Darrol was born at home on June 25, 1930 to Robert & Julia Schroeder of Davenport, ND. He attended early school in Davenport and Fargo. After graduating from Fargo Central High in 1948, Darrol attended North Dakota Agricultural College (later NDSU) where he majored in Animal Husbandry. While in college, Darrol enlisted in the North Dakota Air National Guard in 1947. Darrol graduated from NDAC and received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Darrol married his college sweetheart Jean Nellermoe at Olivet Lutheran Church, Fargo ND on Thursday, February 6, 1952. The newlyweds drove their Chevy convertible, loaded with all of their belongings, to Spence Air Force Base in Moultrie, GA. It was there that Darrol reported for Primary Pilot Training four days later. Darrol completed U.S Air Force Pilot Training in 1954 at Bryan AFB, Texas as well as Advanced Gunnery School at Nellis AFB, Nevada. His initial assignment was with the 388th Fighter Bomber Wing, Clovis, New Mexico. In 1955, he flew a single seat, single engine F-86 Sabre (his favorite plane) across the ocean to Bitburg Air Base, West Germany and in 1956 was assigned to Etain Air Base, France. There he was assigned to the 563rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 388th FBW.
After being released from active duty, he rejoined the North Dakota Air National Guard in Fargo. He and Jean made their family home in Davenport. During his military service, General Schroeder flew more than 5000 hours in Fighter Aircraft such as the F-80, F-86, F-94, F-101, F-102 and F-4. He also checked out in the F-104, A-7, F-16 and F-15. In August of 1980 General Schroeder was appointed Assistant to the Commander in Chief, North American Aerospace Defense Command. He received his second star when he was promoted to Major General on Dec. 4, 1980. The Secretary of Defense appointed him to serve on the Reserve Forces Policy Board in March of 1983. In June of 1983 General Schroeder was appointed as Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander in Chief, United States Air Forces in Europe, where as the Air National Guard Assistant, he was a member of the USAFE Staff. General Schroeder retired from the Air National Guard in June of 1987, after 39 years of military service. Next to his family, his greatest love was flying. He has been a test pilot, instructor pilot and flight examiner. He had more than 22,000 total hours and has flown over 130 different types of military and civilian aircraft.
Darrol passed away on Sunday, March 3rd, 2019. He was 88 years old.
Darrol’s F-86 Sabre / Planned Marking Scheme
In several of the interviews that he gave, Darrol is seen with a model of an F-86 with the tail number #53-1121. It is believed that this is the jet that was assigned to Darrol while he himself was assigned to the 563rd Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 388th Fighter Bomber Wing at Clovis AFB and, subsequently, Etain AB, France. The Fargo Air Museum has received permission from the National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program to paint F-86H #53-1253 in the markings of F-86F #53-1121. It will bear the markings of the 563rd FBS, 388th FBW while stationed at Etain AB, France, in the mid/late 1950s (see above photos for examples of 563rd FBS F-86Fs).
How to Donate
If you are interested in supporting the Fargo Air Museum’s Save the Sabre campaign, donations can be made online at https://fargoairmuseum.networkforgood.com/projects/220700-save-the-sabre or by mailing in a donation made out to the Fargo Air Museum with Save the Sabre in the memo section.
With your help, the Fargo Air Museum can save this piece of Military History and tell the story of one of the men that made the Fargo Air Museum a reality.
