Protected Beaches

Johnson was only 15 when he volunteered to fight in the Korean War.

Two years later, on July 26, 1950, he was killed in combat while trying to drag a fellow soldier to safety. Johnson, not yet 18, had already saved the lives of two fellow soldiers. He was the first Escambia County resident — black or white — to die in the conflict.

Johnson was awarded a Purple Heart for his sacrifice, and the Escambia County Board of Commissioners named a stretch of coastline on Perdido Key in his honor. Still, it would be several years before Jim Crow was fully dismantled and Johnson’s family was free to patronize whatever beach they chose.

When Johnson was 15, he lied about his age to enroll in the US Army so he could help support his family. As a member of the 24th Infantry stationed in Japan, Johnson and his regiment were some of the first soldiers deployed to fight during the Korean War. On July 26, 1950, after Johnson pulled two wounded soldiers to safety during conflict, he was fatally wounded while attempting to retrieve a third soldier- he was 17 years old. On August 21, 1950, Johnson was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal for his heroic actions.

At the time Rosamond joined the Army, his hometown, like many places in the United States at the time was segregated, and Jim Crow laws were in place to limit the rights of African Americans. These laws affected nearly every aspect of public life for African Americans in Escambia County, Florida, including the world-renowned beaches. While places like Pensacola Beach were designated “whites only”, the eastern end of Perdido Key became a refuge where black citizens could enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities of the beach and the Gulf.

This pristine stretch of beach is named in honor of Pvt. Rosamond Johnson, who died at the young age of 17 while rescuing three fellow soldiers in Korea. At the time of Johnson’s death, this beach was the only beach park in Escambia County designated for black use. Today, it is enjoyed by all and was recognized by USA Today as the No. 2 National Park Beach in 2016.

Honoring Johnson

After the Korean conflict, the Sunset Riding Club Inc. which had leased the beach on the eastern end of Perdido Key from the county proposed naming the area for Private Johnson in order to honor and remember his sacrifice and the beach’s importance within the community. When Gulf Islands National Seashore was established, and the Perdido Key Area was added, the name Rosamond Johnson Beach was retained for the developed swim beach. . Gulf Islands National Seashore and its partners hold an annual Rosamond Johnson Commemoration each May to remember the service and sacrifice of Private Johnson and his family. A monument and wayside about Private Johnson and his service in the United States are permanently installed at the beach.

One of the most beautiful beaches in the area is Johnson's Beach in Perdido Key. Each year the Gulf Island National Seashore honors the amazing person for whom the area is named.

The annual Rosamond Johnson Beach Day is held on May 4 at Johnson Beach in the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Perdido Key. The day is a combined effort of the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce and Gulf Islands National Seashore. The true story behind the beach naming is amazing and inspiring.

After enlisting in the Army at only 15 years old, Private Johnson died in combat two years later at age 17. Johnson rescued two injured soldiers and brought them to safety before he was fatally wounded while returning for a third comrade. He was the first Escambia County resident to die in the Korean War. Johnson posthumously received the Purple Heart on Aug. 21, 1950.

Erin Wilmer, Chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Military Affairs Council stated “The story of the selfless bravery of Private Johnson is a story worthy of national attention and we hope to see the public awareness of the history of this beach grow in the years to come.”

At the time of Johnson’s death, Pensacola beaches were racially segregated. The Sunset Riding Club, Inc. leased a county-owned recreational area in 1950 for the sole use of bathing and recreational facilities for “colored citizens.” In honor of his ultimate sacrifice, and in recognition as the first Escambia County resident to die in the Korean war, the recreational area became known as Rosamond Johnson Beach. The area became part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore in 1971, and the name was retained. Today, a monument and exhibit honor Private Johnson and his service.

For the more than a decade, the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce has invited the Johnson Family, local and national dignitaries and the public to the beach to honor the memory of this local hero.

In honor of the sacrifice paid by Army Private Rosamond Johnson and his family, the National Park Service waives entrance fees to Johnson Beach from 9 a.m. to noon for attendees of the annual commemoration ceremony will be at 10 a.m. at Johnson Beach. The national seashore was granted a fee waiver by the NPS Regional Director at the park’s request in 2019. Fee waivers may only be authorized by the NPS Regional Director, the Secretary of the Interior, or the President.

Army Private Rosamond Johnson, Jr. was the first Escambia County resident to die in the Korean War on July 26, 1950. He had successfully carried two wounded soldiers to safety and was returning with a third when he was fatally wounded. He had joined the military at age 15 and died at 17. He posthumously received the Purple Heart August 21, 1950 and several veteran groups are still working to see if Johnson deserved additional
military honors. During the early days of an integrated military it was not uncommon for recognition to be overlooked for black troops.
Pensacola 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 May 8, 1973.
A permanent monument in Johnson's honor was erected at Johnson Beach on June 10, 1996. Guest speaker, retired Army Maj. Gen. Mike Ferguson of Pensacola and the Veterans of Under aged Military Service, said the real heroes of the war - those who make the ultimate sacrifice - can never receive enough recognition. "There is no medal that signifies hero. You couldn't invent a medal to signify hero."

RA 14 289 828, Infantry
Who died in the service of his country in the military operations in Korea on July 26, 1950
He stands in the unspoken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings.
Freedom lives, and through it, he lives - in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
He crossed the 38th parallel three times. The first two times, he carried back wounded. The third time, he got killed before he could make it