Bender was born in Carlisle, Fayette County, the son of a Russian immigrant coal miner. By 1930, he had moved to Chicago and worked as a chauffeur.

Bender joined the Army in 1939 and served in North Africa, Italy, and France during World War II. On August 17, 1944, near La Lande, France, he bravely charged through heavy fire and destroyed two German machine guns. His courage helped his unit break through enemy defenses, killing 37 German soldiers and capturing 26. He received the Medal of Honor in 1945, along with other awards such as the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

After the war, Bender returned to West Virginia and worked for the Veterans Administration. A bridge on the West Virginia Turnpike is named in his honor.