Feature: Shoshana Johnson — first Black woman U.S. POW

Credit: Danny / Any County News · Sources: U.S. Army, PBS American Veteran, NPR, Military Times Hall of Valor

Shoshana Nyree Johnson — a 30-year-old U.S. Army specialist and cook with Fort Bliss's 507th Maintenance Company — was shot in both ankles during the March 23, 2003 ambush near Nasiriyah, Iraq, unable to escape, and became the first Black woman in U.S. military history captured as a prisoner of war. She was held about 22 days and rescued April 13, 2003 by U.S. Marines.

Verified facts (public record):

Unit: 507th Maintenance Company (Fort Bliss) — food service specialist / cook; she was not supposed to be fighting.
Ambush: Battle of Nasiriyah, March 23, 2003 — gunshot wounds to both ankles/legs.
Captivity: ~22 days; rescued April 13, 2003.
Historic first: first African-American woman U.S. POW (Army / PBS / NPR).
Decorations include Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Prisoner of War Medal.

Sources: U.S. Army · PBS transcript · PBS video · NPR · Hall of Valor · Wikipedia (overview)

Graphic: Danny / Any County News. Portrait & rescue stills: Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Marine Corps & DoD public domain releases.

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Hosted on Any County News — Credit: Danny / Any County News. Duration ~77s.

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