Is the story of Leo Major true?
One-eyed soldier Léo Major single-handedly chased the Nazis from Zwolle in 1945. On the evening of April 14, 1945, Canadian soldier Léo Major single-handedly liberated the Dutch town of Zwolle from the Nazis, in a story that’s almost too incredible to be true.
What wars did Leo major fight in?
Léo Major, (born January 23, 1921, New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.—died October 12, 2008, Montréal, Quebec, Canada), decorated Canadian hero of World War II and the Korean War, known for being the only Canadian to win the Distinguished Conduct Medal in two separate wars.
Did Leo Major get the Victoria Cross?
Second “War-Ending” Injury Although Léo Major was offered a Distinguished Conduct Medal, an award second only to the Victoria Cross, he refused it. Major was helping clean up the casualties left behind in a King Tiger tank when he received his second “war-ending” injury.
Where is Leo Major buried?
Last Post Fund National Field of Honour, Pointe-Claire, Canada
Léo Major/Place of burial
What did Leo major do before the war?
Léo Major grew up in a tough working-class district of Montreal during the Depression. He enlisted in the Canadian army in 1940 and joined Le Régiment de la Chaudière. Major landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944 as a scout platoon sniper and helped capture a German half-track that day.
Where is Leo major from?
New Bedford, MA
Léo Major/Place of birth
Did Leo major wear sneakers?
Private Leo Major, a French Canadian soldier in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, an eye-patch over his damaged left eye and wearing sneakers, sprinted quickly and quietly along the dark, empty streets. He carried a submachine gun and a bag full of grenades; two more submachine guns were slung over his back.
Who was the last person to receive the Victoria Cross?
Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey
During the First World War (1914-18), 626 VCs were awarded and in the Second World War (1939-45) 181. The most recent was awarded to Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey of 1st Battalion The Parachute Regiment, whose VC was gazetted in February 2015, following an action in Afghanistan on 22 August 2013.
How old was Leo major when he joined the Army?
Born on January 23, 1921, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, to French-Canadian parents, Léo Major moved with his family to Montreal before his first birthday. Due to a poor relationship with his father, he moved to live with an aunt at age 14. This relationship combined with a lack of available work led Major to join the army in 1940,…
What did Leo major do with his one eye?
Days later, during his first encounter with an SS patrol, he killed four soldiers; however, one of them managed to ignite a phosphorus grenade. After the resulting explosion, Major lost one eye but continued to fight. He continued his service as a scout and a sniper by insisting he needed only one eye to sight his weapon.
When did Leo major get his second DCM?
Major earned his first DCM in World War II in 1945 when he single-handedly liberated the city of Zwolle from German army occupation. He received his second DCM during the Korean War for leading the capture of a key hill in 1951.
Where did Leo major live most of his life?
Leo Major was a French Canadian born, January 23, 1921, in New Bedford Massachusetts U.S. He moved to Montreal, Canada with his Canadian parents before he was one year old.