Trailblazing Women Veterans: Shoshana Johnson, POW

The fourth and final 2024 podcast episode of “Trailblazing Women Veterans” features the harrowing and historic story of U.S. Army Spc. Shoshana Johnson, the first Black female U.S. prisoner of war, and the sheer determination she maintained until her rescue in April 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Caught in an ambush in Nasiriyah, Iraq, Johnson was shot in both ankles, beaten and taken captive by enemy insurgents. A POW for 22 days, she was finally rescued by a Marine Corps Delta Team. Faith and thoughts of her family at home kept her going throughout the ordeal, which she recounted in her 2010 book, “I’m Still Standing: From Captive U.S. Soldier to Free U.S. Citizen.”

Following her discharge, she joined The American Legion in El Paso, Texas, where she continues to serve her fellow veterans, and continues to draw inspiration from her church.

“Trailblazing Women Veterans” is hosted by U.S. Army National Guard veteran Ashley Gorbulja and American Legion Media & Communications Director Jeff Stoffer. In tribute to Women’s History Month, a new episode has been posted each Wednesday through March.

• Episode 1, which posted March 6, describes the story of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman so far to receive the Medal of Honor. The Civil War surgeon and prisoner of war broke ground for women not only in the military but in medicine, as well. The episode also looks back to women who served during the Revolutionary War, others in the Civil War and additional 19th century military conflicts.

• The second episode remembers the heroic life-saving service of 56th Evacuation Hospital Unit nurses – known as the Angels of Anzio – who treated wounds on the coast of Italy during World War II at a time when enemy planes paid no heed to the red crosses atop field hospitals. Their calmness under pressure, which included the safe evacuation of 42 patients during one strafing, earned four of the women the Silver Star, third highest medal for valor.

• Episode 3 takes listeners from the Angels of Anzio to the U.S. Air Force aviator known as the “Angel of Death” – Alison Black, whose combat action and “death ray” in the early stages of the war in Afghanistan befuddled enemy targets on the ground and inspired a new era for women in combat specialties. 

“Trailblazing Women Veterans” is available in video and audio formats at legion.org/tangoalphalima. The series can also be downloaded on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and other popular podcast hosting sites. Listeners of the series are asked to share stories of extraordinary military service among women using the hashtag #MilitaryWomenWednesday.