PRESS RELEASE -- A ceremony honoring the life of Rosamond Johnson Jr., fallen hero and the first Korean War casualty of Escambia County, is planned at 10 a.m. May 3 in Perdido Key at Johnson Beach in Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Hosted by Gulf Islands National Seashore, Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center and Florida Black Chamber of Commerce, the annual ceremony is a tribute to Johnson, a 17-year-old private who, under enemy fire, pulled two comrades to safety and was killed while trying to rescue a third.

The event begins at 10 a.m. at the Star Pavilion. The public is invited to attend; park admission fees will be waived for those attending the event.

After joining the military when he was just 15 years old, Johnson was killed on July 26, 1950 at the age of 17 during the Korean Conflict. He posthumously received the Purple Heart on Aug. 21, 1950. Veteran groups continue to seek additional military honors for him. During the early days of an integrated military it was not uncommon for recognition to be overlooked for black troops.

Pensacola’s beaches were racially segregated at the time of Johnson's death; the Gulf Beach area was a popular area for blacks. After the Korean Conflict the county-owned recreational area was renamed to honor its fallen hero at the suggestion of the Sunset Riding Club, Inc.

The club leased the land in 1950 from the county for the sole use of bathing, beach and recreational facilities for "colored citizens." Although the lease was canceled in 1956, the name Rosamond Johnson Beach remained. The area became part of Gulf Islands National Seashore on May 8,1973.

A permanent monument in Johnson’s honor was erected at Johnson Beach on June 10,1996.

The program will start off with a Welcome from Master of Ceremony Eugene Franklin, president/CEO Florida Black Chamber of Commerce and Dan Brown, Superintendent Gulf Islands National Seashore. Other special guests will include The Rev. Jeremy Mount, Pastor, Central Christian Church, Gene Valentino, Escambia County District 2 County Commissioner, Alison Davenport, Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce, the Bailey Middle School BRAVO Boys Choir, The Rev. Dr. James H. Miller Sr., Pastor First Baptist Church of Warrington, and the Johnson Family.

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