Chester R. Bender (March 14, 1914 – July 20, 1996) served as the fourteenth Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 1970 to 1974. He also served as Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy from 1965 to 1967.
Early life and education
Bender was born in Burnsville, West Virginia, on March 14, 1914, and later moved with his parents John I. Bender and Inez Harbert Bender, to Plant City, Florida in 1925. In 1932, he was appointed as a cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut. During his time at the academy, he served two years on the boxing squad and as humor editor of Tide Rips, the academy yearbook. He served as gun captain during his senior year. He graduated from the academy on June 8, 1936 and received a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a Coast Guard ensign. He was the first Floridian to graduate from the academy.
Career
Early assignments
Upon graduation from the academy, Bender's initial assignment was as a line officer aboard Coast Guard cutters Mendota and , on patrol in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1938, he was transferred to , on duty in the Great Lakes region. During this tour of duty, he met and married Annamarie Ransom of Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan on September 1, 1939. Their marriage lasted until her death in 1992. They had one son, Mark A. Bender. That same year, he was selected for flight training and reported for duty at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. A year later, he earned his aviator wings and was assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City.
Awards
In addition to the Bronze Star Medal, Bender's World War II campaign medals include the America Area, American Defense, Asiatic-Pacific with two bronze stars, Philippine Liberation with two bronze stars, Philippine Presidential Unit citation, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Medal (two awards).