Previous Story
House resolution commends Lt. Col. Tudela
The House of Representatives honored Lt. Col. John M. Tudela before adjourning last month, passing House Resolution 19-54 that commends the achievements of the son of the late mayor Juan Tudela and the late Antonia M. Tudela. Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) introduced HR 19-54.
Tudela was recently named commander of the United States Air Force’s 624th Aerospace Medicine Flight late last month at the Sunrise Conference Center in Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
Demapan said individuals who serve the CNMI through civic, military, and professional endeavors must always be commended for their work. “Individuals who devote their lives to military service merit the commendation and applause of all [CNMI] citizens for their dedication and sacrifice that help protect and ensure our continued freedom.”
Tudela graduated from Marianas High School at 16 and completed his premedical studies at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned his medical degree at John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii-Manoa before earning his board certification in internal medicine at the Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, Oregon.
He joined the military after the 9-11 terror attacks where he received the rank of captain at the U.S. Air Force. He also had active duty tours as an internal medicine physician at the Yokota Air Base in Japan and Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tudela became an Air Force Reserve in 2010 where he completed his training and residency as a surgeon at the Aerospace Medicine Primary Course in Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He was then assigned at Joint Base Pearl Harbor in Hickam, Hawaii before being transferred to Guam.
He received the Air Force Commendation Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal, AF Longevity Service with two oak leaf clusters, and AF Training Ribbon.
Tudela continues to practice medicine at the Commonwealth Health Center where is the current Medical Affairs director.
