The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Melvin F. Schneider (MCSN: 915913), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as an Automatic Rifleman of Company C, First Battalion, Twenty-sixth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from 19 February to 24 March 1945. Constantly alert and aggressive, Private Schneider was the first to volunteer for sniper patrols and was a stabilizing and inspiring influence to the replacement troops throughout this campaign. When Japanese hand grenades landed on our front lines and inflicted several casualties among our troops on the night of 8 March, he left his foxhole in the darkness and, locating the enemy forces in a small draw, annihilated them with accurately thrown hand grenades. His courageous initiative, determination and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.