Major General Mike Nardotti is an American lawyer and retired Army officer. He is a 1969 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission in the Infantry. He excelled as a student, athlete, and leader. As a cadet he was an All-American Wrestler and served as Secretary of the Honor Committee and as the Cadet Commander of First Regiment.
He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for gallantry in action in Vietnam as a Blue Platoon Leader in B Troop, 1/9th Cavalry, First Cavalry Division. Severely wounded, he was assigned to the Physical Education Department at West Point where he coached wrestling and underwent physical rehabilitation enabling his wounds to heal.
He earned his Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York City in 1976 and branch transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps. His growth as an Army lawyer was rapid and well-earned, and he ultimately served as The Judge Advocate General of the Army 1993-1997.
Following retirement, Mike joined the law firm of Patton Boggs (later Squire Patton Boggs) as a partner. He was head of the firm training committee for over ten years, and held other positions in firm management, including as Managing Partner, and later as Co-Managing Partner (following a merger) of the Washington, D.C. office. Veteran Pro-Bono work was an important part of his practice. He also served for many years non-profit Veteran-related boards and councils, to include the USO of Metropolitan Washington, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and the Archdiocese for the Military Services.
In 2006, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame based on his actions in Vietnam leading a combat extraction of a Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol of Rangers in distress.
Although Mike formally retired from private practice in 2017, he served four more years with the firm as Special Counsel to conclude – successfully – a seven and half year long Veteran pro bono case. He is now fully retired.
Following his formal retirement in 2017, Mike undertook Theology Studies at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC, for three years. He did not pursue a degree but took a variety of New and Old Testament courses strictly for personal enrichment and to deepen his faith. He has said many times that the experience exceeded expectations.
Mike was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island where he enjoyed many summer days on the beautiful South Shore beaches. He was active in high school sports (football, wrestling, and track), music (trumpet player in the orchestra, concert band, and dance band), and student government (Vice President and then President of the Student Body).
Mike and his wife, Susan, have been married over 51 years. They have traveled extensively and plan to continue to go as far as they can for as long as they can. Along the way, he has taken thousands of photos – many of Classmates and friends. He believes that if you take enough pictures, at least a few should come out right!
Mike and Susan have three children and nine grandchildren – all of whom have been subject to his numerous photographic efforts. They even like some of his pictures!
Excerpts from Spotlight in The Dispatch, The Army and Navy Club, Washington, D. C. by Geoff Prosch
Mike Nardotti Stories
- Lessons I Learned on the Way Out – 1970The year just past – 2023 – marked fifty years since the official end of the Vietnam War for America. For many who served – including me – the Fifty-Year Commemoration invoked any number… Read more: Lessons I Learned on the Way Out – 1970