Wire: Soldier Who Fought in Pink Boxers Home for Independence Day

In this May 11, 2009 AP photo, soldiers from the U.S. Army First Battalion, 26th Infantry take defensive positions at firebase Restrepo after receiving fire from Taliban positions in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province. Spc. Zachary Boyd of Fort Worth, Texas, far left was wearing 'I love NY' boxer shorts after rushing from his sleeping quarters to join his fellow platoon members. From far right is Spc. Cecil Montgomery of Many, La. and Jordan Custer of Spokan, Wash, center.

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, July 4, 2009 -- Newswire services Saturday reported that the American soldier who was photographed fighting the Taliban in his boxer shorts says he's glad to be back home in Texas after his yearlong deployment to Afghanistan -- especially on the Fourth of July.

Specialist Zachary Boyd says he initially thought he'd get in trouble after an Associated Press photo showed him with other soldiers behind sandbags -- while wearing his pink boxers and flip-flops, plus his helmet and body armor.

The Fort Worth soldier said he had jumped up from sleep when his unit came under fire and didn't want to waste time putting on his uniform.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said of Spc. Boyd, "Any soldier who goes into battle against the Taliban in pink boxers and flip-flops has a special kind of courage."

(Report from newswire sources.)

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