Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Melvin T. Pender, Jr. Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Service Unit/Ship: 82nd Airborne Division; 9th Infantry Division; US Military Academy
- Location of Service: Vietnam; Okinawa, Japan; Korea; West Point, New York; Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/110915
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Melvin "Mel" Pender experienced racial prejudice and segregation firsthand during his childhood and young adulthood. Seeking escape, and inspired by the combat soldier and actor Audie Murphy, Pender decided to join the Army in 1955, at age 17. While stationed in Okinawa, Pender was recruited for the 1964 Olympic track and field team. At age 27, he competed in the 100-meter dash in Tokyo, where he placed sixth due to an injury. In 1967, Pender was pulled out of Vietnam to train for the 1968 Olympics, where he and his teammates won the gold medal for the 4x100 meter relay. Following his military service, he served as West Point's first African-American track coach.
Interview / Recording
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PlayObserving segregated troop trains rolling through Atlanta; worshipping Audie Murphy; deciding to join the military. 00:03:44.0 - 00:05:23.0
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PlayPervasive racism in his hometown; telling his mother he would get out and make her proud. 00:14:48.0 - 00:16:33.0
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PlayGetting his start in running; profound effect of the military on his life. 00:20:16.0 - 00:21:43.0
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PlayReceived orders out of Vietnam to train for the Olympics; didn't want to leave his men. 00:36:11.0 - 00:39:29.0
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PlaySpokesman for black athletes, but not involved in demonstrating; incident in a doctor's office with his mother. 00:48:41.0 - 00:54:08.0
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PlayImpact of his achievements on his community of Lynnwood Park in Atlanta; wanting to make his family, race, and community proud; how his life has been exceptional; belief in God; first minority coach at West Point. 00:57:02.0 - 01:01:49.0
About this Item
Title
- Melvin T. Pender, Jr. Collection
Names
- Bruckner, William Joseph
- Jones, Gordon
- Pender Jr., Melvin T.
- Atlanta History Center
Home State
- Georgia
Headings
- - Pender Jr., Melvin T.
- - Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975
- Branch of Service: Army
- Service Unit/Ship: 82nd Airborne Division; 9th Infantry Division; US Military Academy
- Location of Service: Vietnam; Okinawa, Japan; Korea; West Point, New York; Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Highest Rank: Captain
- Dates of Service: 1955-1976
- Entrance into Service: Commissioned
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran is the winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1968 Summer Olympics. The veteran participated in the 1964 and 1968 Olympics. The veteran served as West Point Military Academy's first black track and field coach.
Materials
- Video: Digital File [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2016-08-22)
- Video: Digital File [1 item] -- Digitized Copy (collected 2016-08-22; 2019)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/110915
Online Format
- image
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
Service Unit/Ship
Highest Rank
Service Entrance
Discharge Status
Gender
Race
Home State
Interviewee
Interviewer
Organization/Affiliation
Featured in
- First, Serve: Athletes in Uniform | Diverse Experiences in Service | Serving: Our Voices | Veterans History Project Collection | Digital Collections
- Breaking Ground and Boundaries: Veteran Changemakers | Diverse Experiences in Service | Serving: Our Voices | Veterans History Project Collection | Digital Collections