The 1st battalion of the 26th infantry is encamped in the famous Korengal valley. Why is it famous? Well, back in the 1980s, the Soviet Union attempted a surge right into this nasty little patch of earth. The Soviets progressed deeply into the valley before they were attacked and eventually bled out of existence.
Now you know that Korengal is no place for the weak. It is a symbolic area for the Taliban and Al Qaeda and has vast natural defenses. On May 11, 2009, Camp Restrepo, nestled in the Korengal valley came under attack. Specialist Zachary Boyd, threw on his body armor, grabbed his helmet and made modern military history.
No, he didn't go and kill Osama--we all wish. He didn't take on a thousand men with only a knife. What he did do was wind up on the Internet dressed in flip flops, pink boxers that say "I love New York," and a red shirt underneath his body armor.
He wasn't making a statement. Zachary was asleep at the time of the attack and in Afghanistan you don't wait around to see if you are needed--you go straight to the fight! Remember this land is a super power widow maker!
The good news is, Specialist Boyd will not lose his job and received praise from Secretary of Defense Gates for his courage. We should praise him! There are some out there claiming that his actions are an embarrassment to the army. Well Korengal is a diseased and insect infected land from hell. The terrain shreds our nice little uniforms and there are reports of men wearing dog collars to keep away bugs.
Zachary Boyd, I hope you get some rest and hot chow this Memorial Day! I suspect as this story continues to grow you will know how much America respects you! Oh, and the South Park boxers I mailed you should be there in about a month. Good luck man and keep your head down! (For a look at the photograph, please go to http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104493189.)
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