Visit by female POW rescheduled at Grand Valley

Event continues Black History Month events

Shoshana Johnson, the first black female POW in U.S. war history, will give a speech at Grand Valley State University on Monday, February 21. The event continues Black History Month events.

Johnson was scheduled to speak on February 9, but poor weather canceled her flight. Her speech, "Heroism Has No Color," on Monday will begin at 7 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center's Grand River Room. The event, sponsored by the Black Student Union, is open to the public; there is no admission charge.

Two years ago during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Johnson was in a convoy that was ambushed in the city of an-Nasiriyah. Johnson was shot in her ankle, injuring her legs. She and five other members of the 507th Maintenance Company were captured. The U.S. Marines conducted house raids in the city of Samarra, Iraq, three weeks after the POWs were captured and successfully rescued them. Johnson and other POWs returned to the United States to a hero's welcome.

Johnson retired from the Army in 2003. Her awards and decorations include the U.S. Army Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal.