Shoshana Johnson — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

First black female prisoner of war in U.S. military history
Served as a specialist in the 507th Maintenance Company in the U.S. Army
Captured by Iraqi forces during the Battle of Nasiriyah on March 23, 2003
Held prisoner for 22 days before being rescued on April 13, 2003
Recipient of the Purple Heart medal

Biography

Shoshana "Shana" Nyree Johnson is a Panamanian-born former United States Army soldier, notable as the first black female prisoner of war in U.S. military history.

Born on January 18, 1973, Johnson is a second-generation U.S. Army veteran and the eldest child of retired Sergeant First Class Claude Johnson and Eunice Johnson.

She joined the U.S. Army in September 1998, initially to save money for culinary school after dropping out of the University of Texas at El Paso.