Episode 292: In the annals of military history, few figures stand as singularly remarkable as Léo Major, a French-Canadian soldier whose audacious feats in World War II and the Korean War etched his name in the pantheon of military legends. During World War II, he served with the Régiment de la Chaudière, participating in the D-Day landings and embarking on a series of extraordinary exploits that culminated in the single-handed liberation of the Dutch town of Zwolle from Nazi occupation. Unfazed by injuries and fueled by a relentless drive, he refused to be sidelined, resolutely continuing his service. Major’s saga did not conclude with the end of World War II; he reenlisted to serve in the Korean War, where he would once again defy the odds and solidify his legacy. His story is a captivating tale of bravery, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to justice, offering an inspiring testament to the power of individual courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. Some have called him Quebec’s Rambo. He is the only Canadian to have received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) twice for his actions in two different wars.
Sources:
Have you heard of Léo Major, the liberator of Zwolle?
A One-Eyed Québécois ‘Rambo’ Captures Imaginations in Canada (Published 2018)
D-Day-the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division: 6 June 1944
Léo Major – A Quebec Military Hero
Pte. Leo Major, 87: Decorated hero
Leo Major Obituary (2008) – Legacy Remembers
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