United States Coast Guard Admiral. Born in West Virginia and attending school in Florida, Bender graduated from the United States Coast Academy in 1936 and was commissioned into service at the rank of Ensign. In 1940 he earned his wings and was assigned to the Coast Guard Air Station at Elizabeth City, New Jersey where he served into the beginning of World War Two. In 1943 he was given command of the air-sea rescue squadron at San Diego until 1944, when he was appointed air-sea rescue advisor and liaison officer with the Far East Air Force Headquarters in the Philippines. At war's end he was assigned as Executive Officer of the Air-Sea Rescue Agency at Coast Guard Headquarters. A year later he was reassigned as pilot and personal aide to Coast Guard Commandant Joseph Farley, serving until 1950. In 1955 he returned to Coast Guard headquarters as head of the War Plans Division and later served as Chief of the Administrative Management Division in 1962. In 1964 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and given command of the Ninth Coast Guard District. In 1965 he was appointed as Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, serving as such until 1967 when he became commander of the Twelfth Coast Guard District and Coast Guard Western Area. In 1970 he was appointed the 14th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, serving until his retirement in 1974. He is best remembered for being behind the adoption of the Coast Guard's current distinctive blue uniform, referred to today as the "Bender Blues."
United States Coast Guard Admiral. Born in West Virginia and attending school in Florida, Bender graduated from the United States Coast Academy in 1936 and was commissioned into service at the rank of Ensign. In 1940 he earned his wings and was assigned to the Coast Guard Air Station at Elizabeth City, New Jersey where he served into the beginning of World War Two. In 1943 he was given command of the air-sea rescue squadron at San Diego until 1944, when he was appointed air-sea rescue advisor and liaison officer with the Far East Air Force Headquarters in the Philippines. At war's end he was assigned as Executive Officer of the Air-Sea Rescue Agency at Coast Guard Headquarters. A year later he was reassigned as pilot and personal aide to Coast Guard Commandant Joseph Farley, serving until 1950. In 1955 he returned to Coast Guard headquarters as head of the War Plans Division and later served as Chief of the Administrative Management Division in 1962. In 1964 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and given command of the Ninth Coast Guard District. In 1965 he was appointed as Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy, serving as such until 1967 when he became commander of the Twelfth Coast Guard District and Coast Guard Western Area. In 1970 he was appointed the 14th Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, serving until his retirement in 1974. He is best remembered for being behind the adoption of the Coast Guard's current distinctive blue uniform, referred to today as the "Bender Blues."
Bio by: G.Photographer
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