The First Black Female POW in U.S. History In 2003, during the Iraq War, Shoshana Johnson became the first Black female prisoner of war in U.S. history. Injured during an ambush, held captive for 23 days, and later awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and POW Medal — her story is rarely told. This is a powerful reminder of how history chooses who to remember. Shoshana Johnson, Black women in the military, Iraq War history, American POWs, hidden military history, Black American heroes, women ve