Thanks for the compliments, gents!
As I interpreted this cartoon--and part of the reason why I titled this "Unlikely Hero"--it was of a boy who is looking up to this G.I. and, from the look on his face and his posture, is trying to mimick him and almost seems to be proud of the fact that he's sitting next to the soldier. The similarities (posture, ripped pants leg in same general spot, both are wounded in some way), I think are what drew me into building this one.
Also, my scan of the cartoon may not be as good as the original, but the dark spot on the boy's pants is supposed to be a tear--which coincides with the tear on Joe's pants leg.
Steve--yes, I have entered most of my Mauldin series into a couple shows--mostly around the Kansas City and Little Rock, Arkansas areas--those are the two closest shows to me. I'm hoping to branch out a little farther sometime in the relatively near future, depending on fuel costs.
Thanks again for looking and for the compliments!!