I just saw this a moment ago.

This soldier has chutzpah beyond belief! He didn't wait till he got all his gear on, no. He heard his unit coming under fire and rushed out to help from his sleeping quarters. He didn't take the time to get suited up and find out his teammates were dead, no. He rushed out to help his teammates in their time of need, regardless the consequences to himself and his job.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090522/lf_nm_life/us_afghanistan_gates_pink

U.S. defense chief lauds soldier in pink boxers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday praised an Army soldier in eastern Afghanistan who drew media attention this month after rushing to defend his post from attack while wearing pink boxer shorts and flip-flops.

In fact, Gates said he wants to meet the soldier and shake his hand the next time he visits Afghanistan.

"Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage," Gates said in remarks prepared for a speech in New York.

"I can only wonder about the impact on the Taliban. Just imagine seeing that: a guy in pink boxers and flip-flops has you in his cross-hairs. What an incredible innovation in psychological warfare," he said.

Army Specialist Zachary Boyd, 19, of Fort Worth, Texas, rushed from his sleeping quarters on May 11 to join fellow platoon members at a base in Afghanistan's Kunar Province after the unit came under fire from Taliban positions.

A news photographer was on hand to record the image of Boyd standing at a makeshift rampart in helmet, body armor, red T-shirt and boxers emblazoned with the message: "I love NY."

When the image wound up on the front page of the New York Times, Boyd told his parents he might lose his job if President Barack Obama saw him out of uniform.

"I can assure you that Specialist Boyd's job is very safe indeed," Gates said in the speech.

The U.S. defense chief was scheduled to deliver the speech at New York's annual Salute to Freedom dinner in Manhattan.

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Will Dunham)

If you haven't seen the picture you should have a look.

A HUGE Kudos to this man...

I have to say, he is one brave and bare-assed man!


I am not saying the other soldiers are not brave. I am proud of all of them!

But this man went above and beyond. Way above.... and beyond....

I will admit...when I first saw this picture...I thought it was one of those joke pictures (I hadn't read the story at the time)

not sure about those boxers lol....but the soldier did what he had to do for his post and buddies

And when I walk outside in those same boxers, I get locked up.. Not fair.

Way to go, Zach. Show those Taliban they don't scare you.

My son stationed over there was recently in a bloody skirmish with the Taliban which called for spur-of-the-moment action. It's simply the old-fashioned "kill or be killed", and you'd better be fast and accurate. Trust me, formalities are NOT part of the decision-making process........I'm sure my son has infnite respect for this guy!



Zach Boyd is a True American Hero !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!