Following the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he returned to military service, graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1965.

He was subsequently deployed to South Vietnam where he served with the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta.

[2] After the 1968 Olympics, Pender returned to South Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star Medal.

He was selected to the 1964 Olympic Team, but was hampered by injury and finished seventh in the 100 meters at Tokyo.

[2] Nearing age 31, Pender again made it to the 100 m final, where his explosive start and exceptional acceleration brought him to the lead midway through the race, but he faded slightly and finished sixth.