 Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Bender served in the United States Navy during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart, having been wounded in an attack on a fortified Japanese position in New Georgia, in the Solomon Islands.The bullet remained in his body, an inch from his left hip, all his life.After a playing career as an infielder (pre-war) and pitcher (post-war) in the minor leagues, Bender worked in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, managing for five seasons (1949–53) in their minor league system with Albany of the Class D Georgia–Florida League and Columbus of the Class A Sally League, winning two league championships and compiling a lifetime record of 409–286 (.588).