Shoshana Johnson

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Shoshana Nyree Johnson (born in 1971) was the first black female prisoner of war in the military history of the United States. She was held hostage in Iraq for 22 days after being captured with four other members of the U.S. Army 507th Maintenance Company , 552 Battalion 11th Brigade. Johnson was a Specialist at the time and suffered bullet wounds to both of her ankles. She survived the ordeal as a result of a successful rescue mission conducted by U.S. Marines on April 13, 2003.

Biography

Johnson, a second-generation U.S. Army Veteran, is a native of Panama, and moved to the United States with her family when she was a child. She was a JROTC cadet in 1991 and joined the U.S. Army in September 1998 while attending classes at the University of Texas at El Paso.

In February 2003, while serving her second military assignment at Fort Bliss, Texas, Johnson received orders to deploy to Iraq and carry through her duties as a Food Service Specialist (MOS 92G) with the 507th Maintenance Company, 552 Battalion 11th Brigade.

On March 23, 2003 one month after her arrival to serve as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Johnson was in a convoy that was ambushed and taken captive in the city of Nasiriyah. She received a bullet wound to her ankle, causing injuries to both legs.

In April 13, 2003 after subsequent house raids conducted by U.S. Marines of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion , 1st Marine Division in the city of Samarra, Johnson was rescued along with six other prisoners of war. They were welcomed as heroes in the United States on April 16 with a cheering crowd of over 3,000 people. The U.S. Army recognized them for courage, valor, and service with several awards.

In December 12, 2003 Johnson retired from the U.S. Army on a Temporary Disability Honorable Discharge. Johnson has received numerous awards and recognition for her courage, valor, and service to the United States. She has presented talks throughout the nation about her experience as a prisoner of war, and has been recognized with standing ovations from small groups to over 65,000 people at select events hosted by public and private organizations.

Johnson currently resides in El Paso, Texas with her daughter Janelle.

Military awards and decorations

Categories: U.S. Army soldiers