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John
Arthur
Bender
1925-04-20

–

2000-01-03

Born:

Bremerton

, 

Washington

Home:

Bremerton

, 

Washington

Buried: 

Kent

, 

Washington

Cemetery:

Tahoma National Cemetery

John Bender graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1949. During the Korean War made national news when he became the first American officer to lead his platoon across the 38th parallel. He retired in 1977 as a U.S. Army Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1972 – 1975
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) John Arthur Bender, United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 (Operations and Training), and Commander, 172d Brigade, Alaska, from 1970 to 1975.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Infantry)

    Division:

    1st Cavalry Division

    Action Date:

    March 22, 1951
    Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, General Orders No. 173 (1951)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John Arthur Bender, United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with the 16th Reconnaissance Company, 1st Cavalry Division, in action against the enemy near Chunchon, Korea, on 22 March 1951. First Lieutenant Bender’s platoon was brought under enemy mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire while making contact with Communist troops north of Chunchon. Throughout the action, First Lieutenant Bender repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy gunners to direct his troop’s action an d finally to call in artillery on the enemy, neutralizing the enemy’s strong points. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Bender, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1972 – 1975
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) John Arthur Bender, United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 (Operations and Training), and Commander, 172d Brigade, Alaska, from 1970 to 1975.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    22d Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    4th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    March 21, 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) John Arthur Bender, United States Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. Lieutenant Colonel Bender distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Commanding Officer of the 3d Battalion, 22d Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy near Soui Tre, in Tay Ninh Province, Republic of Vietnam, during Operation JUNCTION CITY, on 21 March 1967. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel Bender, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1975 – 1977
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) John Arthur Bender, United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Intelligence Officer, Fort Lewis, from 1975 to 1977.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Action Date:

    1964 – 1967
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) John Arthur Bender, United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division, and as a Battalion Commander, 22d Infantry Regiment, from 1964 to 1967.