Mai Whelan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1967 or 1968 (age 56–57)[1] Saigon, Vietnam |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Winning season 1 ofSquid Game: The Challenge (2023) |
| Spouse | Jay Whelan[2] |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1985–2005 |
| Awards | |
Mai Whelan, also known asPlayer 287, is an American retiredimmigration adjudicator for theDepartment of Homeland Security and a formerpetty officer for theUnited States Navy.[1][3][4][2] She was the winner of the inaugural season ofSquid Game: The Challenge (2023), with a grand prize ofUSD $4.56 million.[5][6][3][7]
Whelan was born inVietnam and later moved to the United States after thefall of Saigon in 1975 at the age of eight as a refugee.[1][4][8] She and her family lived at a resettlement center in Pennsylvania for 18 months, where they learned English and US culture.[2] She became pregnant at the age of 19, resulting in being cut off from her family and becoming asingle parent.[1]
At the age of 18,[2] she enlisted in theUnited States Navy, serving for twenty years, where she was awarded theGlobal War on Terrorism Service Medal, fiveJoint Service Achievement Medals, threeGood Conduct Medals, twoNational Defense Service Medals, fiveOverseas Service Ribbons, aNATO Medal, fourSea Service Deployment Ribbons, aNavy E Ribbon, and aMeritorious Unit Commendation.[9] She is also anEnlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist.[9]
In 2023, she was living inFalls Church, Virginia,[10] with her husband, two children, and one granddaughter.[1] As of 2024, she lives inSwansboro, North Carolina, and is involved with the nonprofitsUnbound,Humane Society of the United States, and theUnited Service Organizations.[2][11]
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