Shoshana Nyree Johnson (born January 18, 1973) is a Panamanian-born former United States soldier, and was the first black or Hispanic female prisoner of war in the military history of the United States. Johnson was a Specialist of the U.S. Army 507th Maintenance Company, 5/52 ADA BN, 11th ADA Brigade. During a gun fight that led to her capture she suffered bullet wounds to both of her ankles. She was freed in a rescue mission conducted by United States Marine Corps units on April 13, 2003. She was held prisoner in Iraq for 22 days along with five other members of her unit including:
- SPC Edgar Hernandez
- SPC Joseph Hudson
- PFC Patrick Miller
- SGT James Riley – 31-year-old from Pennsauken, N.J. As the senior soldier present, he ordered the surrender. PFC Jessica Lynch – Part of same 507 unit but held in a different location
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 is the eldest child of retired Army Sergeant First Class Claude Johnson and wife Eunice. In 1991, Johnson was in the JROTC program at Andress High School, although she did not plan a career in the military. She joined the U.S. Army in September 1998 after dropping out of University of Texas at El Paso.
I remember this very well.
So do I, Vitaminlover. I remember being so scared for her and praying all the hostages would make it out alive. I read articles where some of her colleagues were jealous b/c she was getting media attention. Hell, she was held hostage for 22 days, shot in both ankles and lived to tell about it! Jealousy is so disgusting!
Thank you, Shoshana, for your service to our country. Wishing you all the bests with your dreams and goals.
What makes it sad is that you only heard the story of Jessica Lynch and not Shoshana Johnson.
Hi Christiana. It’s the American way, don’tcha know!
Shoshana’s book ” I’m Still Standing” is an excellent read. I’d highly recommend it. She tells her own story.
Yeah, it is the American way unfortunately. I will surely pick it up when I am back in the States.