Merlin O'Neill (30 October 1898 – 1 March 1981) served as the tenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1 January 1950 to 1 June 1954. Born in North Kenova, Ohio, in 1898, O'Neill was commissioned in the United States Coast Guard in 1921. He served on a number of vessels, including his first command, the USS Ericsson. In 1927, he began a three year period as an instructor at the Coast Guard Academy before returning to sea in command of the USCGC Monaghan, in 1930. From 1935, he held a number of positions at Coast Guard Headquarters. During World War II he participated in Allied amphibious landings in Morocco and Sicily. Assistant Commandant from 1946, he was appointed Commandant of the Coast Guard in 1950 and retired in 1954 with the rank of admiral.