Merlin Frederick Schneider (February 22, 1901 – November 15, 1970) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of brigadier general.

He is most noted as commanding officer of 22nd Marine Regiment during the Recapture of Guam in July 1944, for which he received the Navy Cross, the United States military's second-highest decoration awarded for valor in combat.

Schneider was attached to the First Marine Brigade under Brigadier General John Twiggs Myers and sailed for Haiti in order to support government forces against the Cacos rebels.

Schneider, who was already promoted to the rank of captain, was appointed commanding officer of the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS New Mexico in 1938 and took part in the patrol cruises off coast of Hawaii.

[1] He served in that capacity during the Eniwetok operation in the Marshall Islands at the end of February 1944 and following the promotion to the rank of colonel during the next month, he was appointed commanding officer of 22nd Marines.

Courageously leading his regiment in an assault landing against strong Japanese shore defenses, Colonel Schneider overran the enemy beach fortifications and aggressively led his forces through the town beyond, despite fanatical hostile resistance.

Quickly consolidating his forces, he directed the assault of his regiment over difficult terrain and against cleverly concealed and well-defended enemy strong points to effect the capture of an important peninsula and vital harbor areas.

By his frequent demonstrations of personal courage, forceful and vigorous leadership and excellent tactical handling of his command, Colonel Schneider contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of an extremely difficult mission.