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.

That's a mountain of win.

That guy should receive a medal.

Thats going to make a great motivational poster.

Win!

Woot, go him.

Pretty cool. It would be better if he had worn the t-shirt as a cape, though.

"Captain Underpants, here to kick ass and take names!"
"Zachary, put your goddamn pants on".
"NEVER"

I'd be a little worried if the entire army went out wearing boxers and flipflops.

When you're called out to defend your post, you do it in the nude if it will defend your post, the boy's a good soldier.

So we've got a guy in pink boxers and a bright red t-shirt and flip flops with one of the biggest "FUCK YOU!" guns ever.

I wonder how many Taliban saw him and thought you know what, I'll come back tomorrow.

This picture needs "America, Fuck Yeah!" playing to it.

WrongSprite:
Thats going to make a great motivational poster.

I'm not even American and I say WOW, you guys should be proud of this kid.

I bet he clanks when he walks.

This kind of reminds me of Celts who went into battle naked, painted in woad. Except it's the opposite because it's not designed to be badass, which somehow makes it more so.

That is amazing. Some balls he's got.

...

Wow...

Mazty:
That is amazing. Some balls he's got.

You could say that, yes. I don't see it in the picture, though.

I'd hate to be getting so much praise for not being able to get to my post dressed. Which is fine that would be time wasted to rush to defense.
I'm sure though if I was him I'd rather it be a funny story I could tell than national news.
We should be proud of him for being a good soilder and making sure he was at his post expediently.

I love the military.

My inner conspiracy theorist thinks this is a little too perfect. :P

UltimatheChosen:

Mazty:
That is amazing. Some balls he's got.

You could say that, yes. I don't see it in the picture, though.

Sure you can, it's in his hands facing the enemy =p

That is AWESOME!

That right there is the heart of the American soldier right there. When the enemy starts shooting, you don't ask questions, you get to your post and start shooting back. When Robert Gates goes to congratulate that soldier, I hope he brings Chuck Norris with him.

ThrobbingEgo:
My inner conspiracy theorist thinks this is a little too perfect. :P

It's not a set-up thing. It's rightly verified. I even know the embedded journalist who took that photo.

Win solider is win

Given the coverage it's got, it's like the higher ups are trying to push it as a human side to the Army, something that galvanises the nation.

WW2 had the flag raising on Iwo Jima, the war on terror has...a guy in pink boxer shorts.

i think he is being dumb but he got some balls. i will give that.

McClaud:

ThrobbingEgo:
My inner conspiracy theorist thinks this is a little too perfect. :P

It's not a set-up thing. It's rightly verified. I even know the embedded journalist who took that photo.

I was kidding. It just seems like perfect propaganda.

deathninja:
Given the coverage it's got, it's like the higher ups are trying to push it as a human side to the Army, something that galvanises the nation.

WW2 had the flag raising on Iwo Jima, the war on terror has...a guy in pink boxer shorts.

My thoughts exactly.

Now if he had gotten killed because pink shorts and a red shit are not adequate protection from bullets, most people would probably of laughed at him.

Well done. When every second counts, what you're wearing is irrelevant. EDIT: Yes, body armor is, which he has for his torso, uniform shirt and pants aren't exactly bullet proof. Combat boots might help, but still.

Though this did bring a silly thought to mind (you know, because people in their underpants always inspire great feats of mental prowess); the terrosts come out and see soldiers in their underpants and go (Robot Chicken: SW-style), "You know what? If you guys aren't going to take this seriously, I'm out."

deathninja:
Given the coverage it's got, it's like the higher ups are trying to push it as a human side to the Army, something that galvanises the nation.

WW2 had the flag raising on Iwo Jima, the war on terror has...a guy in pink boxer shorts.

I could picture a bronze statue sometime in the future with pink boxers in memory of this moment, and people would gather around and tell stories of the "Soldier with the pink pants".

lol win