Career
Mel Pender was a decorated Vietnam war combat veteran, serving in the United States. Army for 21 years and retiring at the rank of captain in 1976. While in the United States. Army, early in his service, Pender took up athletics, where his incredible quickness was noticed in camp football games. His progress was remarkable and he was selected to the 1964 Olympic Team but hampered by injury he did not medal.
At the Mexico Olympics, Pender 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. In the relay he was chosen to run the second leg and he performed that duty exceptionally.
Mel set world records in the 50 yds at 5.0, 60 yds at 5.8, 70 yds at 6.8 and 100 meters at 9.9. Pender is in several halls of fame.
What people don"t know is he didn"t run track until the age of twenty five while he was serving in Okinawa with the 82nd Airborne Division.
After his athletics career Pender earned a bronze star in Vietnam and worked as the head track coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point.