Juan B. Tudela

Juan Borja Tudela was born on May 17, 1936 on the island of Saipan. He was the son of Jesus Tudela and Anunciación Borja.

He grew up during the final years of the Japanese administration and military occupation of the Northern Mariana Islands, three years prior to the start of World War II in 1939. He received strict compulsory education provided by the Japanese government up until June 1944. His family was deeply religious and as young child he served as an altar server for Roman Catholic church.

He was only 8 years old when the United States 2nd Marine Division, 4th Marine Division, and the United States Army 27th Infantry Division landed on Saipan during Operation Forager in June 1944. When Saipan was declared secured by Allied Forces in July 1944, Tudela's family was relocated to Camp Susupe were they remained for the duration of the war.

After the end of the World War II Tudela briefly left Saipan for the island of Guam to pursue his studies to become an ordained Catholic priest at Father Duenas Memorial School in Dededo. Due to financial constraint and never completed his priestly studies and returned to the Saipan.

Upon his return, he worked for Saipan's post-war government under the control of the United States Navy. The Naval administration as it was called was influential in providing young local citizens jobs, assistance, and education. Tudela witnessed the island's every growing economy, infrastructure, and government that would later influenced his decision to become a politician.