Today marks the anniversary of a remarkable honour for Léo Major, the French Canadian soldier who single-handedly liberated Zwolle in the Netherlands in 1945. A 3.5-kilometre stretch of Autoroute 371 in Québec, beginning at the entrance to the Valcartier military base northwest of Québec City, has been officially renamed in his honour.
Major was the only Canadian—and one of just three soldiers in the British Commonwealth—to receive the British Army’s Distinguished Conduct Medal twice: once for his actions in World War II and again for his bravery in the Korean War. His daring feats and unwavering courage have secured his place in military history.
In recognition of their shared service, Major’s close friend Wilfrid Arseneault was posthumously awarded the Dutch Bronze Lion by Queen Juliana in 1970.