Fort Bliss, Texas ? Five former prisoners of war from Fort Bliss, one of them a Kansan, have left a military hospital, a month after they were captured by Iraqi forces.

The soldiers, members of the 507th Maintenance Company, were released Wednesday from William Beaumont Army Medical Center to their families.

“We have completed the medical exams of our returnees,” hospital commander Col. Glenn W. Mitchell told reporters Wednesday at the West Texas Army post. “They have had enough of our poking and prodding and they will be very happy to be returned to their units today to start a convalescent leave that will begin within the next couple of days.”

Found to be in good health, the returnees were eager to begin 30 days of relaxation.

“We found no indication of any serious problems, and we are very happy to let them go get some much needed time of convalescent leave,” said Mitchell. “We will continue to provide follow-up care to our wounded soldiers as well as mental health. Were anticipating full recovery for all of them.”

The soldiers were captured on March 23 near the southern city of Nasiriyah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom when their convoy was ambushed. They had deployed to the Middle East on Feb. 17 and were released April 13 near Tikrit in northern Iraq.

Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who was also captured in the ambush, became separated from her fellow soldiers and was rescued April 1 by special operations forces in a hospital in Nasiriyah.

The 507th soldiers taken prisoner were: Spc. Shoshana N. Johnson, 30, of El Paso; Spc. Joseph Hudson, 23, Alamogordo, N.M.; Spc. Edgar Hernandez, 21, Mission; Pfc. Patrick Miller, 23, Park City, Kan.; and Sgt. James J. Riley, 31, Pennsauken, N.J.

Mitchell said Johnson, who was shot in both ankles, is healing well.

“Shoshana is doing extraordinarily well and she has been placed in two walking casts and given crutches,” Mitchell said.

“She’ll be watched carefully by our orthopedic doctors,” he said. “She may have to have some additional physical therapy, but she’s doing very well.

All the soldiers are expected to make complete recoveries, he said.

They returned Saturday to Biggs Army Airfield to a heroes’ welcome and about 2,000 screaming well-wishers.

During the soldiers’ leave, they were expected to be honored with parades and parties.

Riley was expected to stay in El Paso for several days but should be home in time for a parade for him on May 4.

Fort Bliss spokeswoman Jean Offutt said the former POWs had to report to their company to receive leave orders before being officially released. After their leaves expire, the soldiers must report to their unit to continue their military duties, she said.