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May 1942. "Kearney, Buffalo County, Nebraska. Farm boy bringing a load of scrap iron to town." Seen here earlier fixing a flat. Photo by John Vachon for the FSA. View full size.
In those days, farm kids learned to drive as soon as they were tall enough to reach the pedals. In the early days of WWII, my dad at sixteen was driving trucks in Iowa. This lad might be fourteen or fifteen. If he is eighteen before the end of the war, he'll probably join up. My dad did.
Did the kid throw the photographer into the trailer? Don't forget your pump, fella.
In 1942, that load of scrap iron will soon be used for the war effort.
Man! This has to be one of the best Shorpy titles ever.
I’ll bet he has an Ingraham dollar watch in that pocket.
The young man looks barely old enough to drive but he sure has perfected his don't-mess-with-me expression. Right on.
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