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 graduated from the academy on June 8, 1936 and received a bachelor of science degree and a commission as a Coast Guard ensign.

[1] Upon graduation from the academy, Bender's initial assignment was as a line officer aboard Coast Guard cutters Mendota and Bibb, on patrol in the Atlantic Ocean.

During the last few months of the war, he served as air-sea rescue advisor and liaison officer for the Far East Air Force Headquarters, in the Philippines, earning the Bronze Star for his service.

In 1950, Bender was transferred to Coast Guard Air Station St. Petersburg, Florida, where he served as executive officer.

Three years later in 1958, he was promoted to captain and given command of the Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii.

On July 1, 1964 Bender was promoted to the rank of rear admiral and assumed command of the Cleveland, Ohio-based Ninth Coast Guard District.

During his tenure, he implemented the distinctive "Bender Blues" uniforms, designed to distinguish the U.S. Coast Guard from the U.S. Navy.