General Schneider was born in Ralls, Texas, in 1928. He attended Texas Technological College for one year prior to entering the U.S. Army Air Forces in September 1946. He has a bachelor of science degree in business management from Arizona State University and a master's degree in international relations from The George Washington University. He graduated from the Air War College in 1967.

Following basic military training at Lackland Field, Texas, he graduated from the Remote Control Turret Mechanics School at Lowry Field, Colo. He began aviation cadet training at Randolph Field, Texas, in June 1947, and graduated from advanced pilot training in P-51 aircraft at Williams Air Force Base, Ariz., in June 1948, with a commission as a second lieutenant.

His first flying assignment was as a P-84 pilot with the 20th Fighter Group. In September 1949 General Schneider was assigned to the 51st Fighter Group, Naha Air Base, Okinawa, as an F-80 pilot and as squadron adjutant. During the Korean War, he went with the 51st Group to Itazuke Air Base, Japan, and Kimpo Air Base, Korea, and completed 100 combat missions.

In May 1951 he reported to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., as an F-80 gunnery instructor and in June 1951 was transferred to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to teach air combat tactics in the F-86 aircraft. In June 1952 he was selected to help organize a fighter gunnery school at Pinecastle (later McCoy) Air Force Base, Fla. During this assignment, he completed Squadron Officer School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. In February 1953 he was selected to help organize a gunnery school at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He served there until June 1956 as a flight commander, squadron operations officer, and group operations officer. During this tour, he completed the Fighter Weapons Instructor School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

General Schneider attended the Marine Corps School from August 1955 to June 1956. He next was assigned to the 36 th Fighter-Day Wing at Bitburg Air Base, Ger many, as operations officer and F-100 pilot. He returned from Germany in September 1959 to attend the Advanced Management Course at the University of Texas, under the Air Force Institute of Technology program. In September 1960 he went to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., where he was an F-100 squadron commander.

In July 1962 General Schneider went to Vietnam. As one of the first U.S. Air Force officers assigned to the 2d Air Division, he helped establish a forward air control/air liaison officer program, working and flying with the Republic of Vietnam Air Force.

General Schneider returned to the United States and, in September 1963, entered Arizona State University where he received his bachelor of science degree in 1964, and was selected as the outstanding management graduate. He is a member of the Delta Sigma Pi, Sigma Iota Epsilon, and Beta Gamma Sigma (equivalent to Phi Beta Kappa). In June 1964 he returned to Luke Air Force Base, again as a fighter squadron commander.

He became the Tactical Air Control Party commander with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan., in June 1965. In September 1965 he was selected to help establish the F-4 replacement training unit program in the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. He attended the Air War College from September 1966 to June 1967, and completed work for his master's degree.

General Schneider next served as executive officer to the assistant secretary of the Air Force (financial management). In May 1969 he was assigned as deputy commander for operations for the 3550th Pilot Training Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., and served as commander from December 1970 to November 1971.

His next assignment was as vice commander, 314th Air Division, Osan Air Base, Korea. General Schneider became assistant chief of staff, operations (J-3), United Nations Command/United States Forces Korea, and director, United States/Republic of Korea Operational Planning Staff, with headquarters at Seoul, Korea, in April 1972. He assumed duties as vice commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., in September 1974. He became commander of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center in March 1976. General Schneider began his current assignment Dec. 5, 1977.

He is a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

He was promoted to the grade of major general Feb. 6, 1976, with date of rank June 2, 1973.