Mike, a native of Hull, Massachusetts, grew up along the shores of this historic New England town. After graduating from high school in 1965, he enlisted in the Marine Corps, where his exceptional linguistic abilities quickly set him apart. Rather than deploying directly to Vietnam, he was sent to Washington, D.C., for rigorous training as a translator and interrogator. When he later served in Vietnam, Mike was stationed in the northern I Corps region, collaborating closely with CIA operatives and South Vietnamese counterparts in interrogations. His role brought him into contact with numerous undercover agents, including veterans of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) from World War II. Among the most enduring impressions of his service were his interactions with Vietnamese female prisoners who kept a strong grip on faith.