Soldier who fought in pink boxers home for 4th

Soldiers take defensive positions after receiving fire from Taliban positions in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan's Kunar Province in this May 11 photo. Spc. Zachery Boyd was wearing 'I love NY' boxer shorts after rushing from his sleeping quarters.

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Story Published: Jul 4, 2009 at 11:08 AM PST

By Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — The 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 bulletproof vest.

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

But Boyd has been praised for his courage.

And now that he's home in Fort Worth he says his boxers will be displayed in the 1st Infantry Division museum at Fort Riley, Kansas.

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