Good job on the repositioning! A sideways view - as you have him in your first picture with the repositioned head - provides just enough of a view of the GI's face. It would also reinforce the GI's perspective - that of viewing some enemy at a distance. Funny, but I was thinking a round base for the groundwork would work too. However, this may limit the top edge of the hedgerow since, afterall, you would be dealing with a round base.
Ah, decisions decisions ...