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Pvt John J. Pendziwater worked in a machine shop.

He enlisted in Hartford, Connecticut on 9 June 1942.

During the Battle of the Bulge, C Company was attached to Combat Command B of the 10th Armored Division and deployed in the area of Noville. This is the report of the events of that day: Major Hustead, who assumed command of the TF when Major Desobry was seriously wounded during the night shelling of his CP, called on his forces to be vigilant when the fog lifted. Lt Dave Hagens, 3d Pltn Leader, had his M-18s move to preselected firing positions. At about 1300 hours the fog, like a huge stage curtain, lifted to expose a vast array of German armor. It was an awesome sight to see the many tanks within 200 yards of the small village. Fortunately, Hagens had placed his platoon of four M-18s in excellent positions, especialy the two commanded by Sgt Richard Beaster and Sgt John Pilon. As mentioned in many newspapers, magazines and book reports, it was like shooting ducks in a gallery. In a matter of minutes, Cpl Colby Ricker, gunner for Sgt Beaster's M-18, quickly knocked out five tanks and a short while later was credited with two more before their M-18 was hit. Other members of Beaster's crew were Pvt Pendziwater and Pvt Ellie McManus. Sgt Pilon's tank with Cpl Justin Double as gunner, accounted for another five tanks destroyed before the action abated. Other members of Pilon's crew were T/5 Robert Kurz, PFC Michael Hughes and Pvt Calvert.

He was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Foy, Belgium