Léo Major

Léo Major, born on January twenty-third, nineteen twenty-one, was a distinguished Canadian soldier whose remarkable bravery earned him a place in military history. He stands out as the only Canadian and one of only three soldiers in the British Commonwealth to receive the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) twice, each for his extraordinary acts of valor in separate wars.

Major's first DCM was awarded during World War II in nineteen forty-five, following a daring reconnaissance mission in the liberation of Zwolle, a Dutch city. Accompanied by a close friend, Major faced a sudden firefight that tragically claimed his friend's life. Undeterred, he pressed on and discovered that Zwolle was largely abandoned by the German forces. His decisive actions not only saved the city from impending artillery bombardment by the Allies but also showcased his exceptional leadership and courage.

His second DCM came during the Korean War in nineteen fifty-one, where he played a pivotal role in the capture of a strategically important hill. This achievement further solidified his reputation as a fearless and skilled military leader.