Léo Major, a name whispered with reverence in Parc Léo-Major. This park, nestled in Longueuil, Quebec, isn’t just a green space. It’s a living testament to a man whose courage echoed across two wars. Parc Léo-Major, formerly Souvenir Park, was renamed in 2018 to honor this local hero. An educational plaque within the park details his incredible life. Born in Montreal in 1921, Léo Major’s life was marked by resilience. He left home at 14 during the Great Depression. He worked odd jobs until World War II. Despite a frail constitution, he enlisted in 1940, joining the Régiment de la Chaudière. Parc Léo-Major stands as a reminder of his service.
Léo Major’s wartime exploits are the stuff of legends. He landed in Normandy on D-Day, destroying a German bunker and taking prisoners. Days later, a grenade explosion partially blinded him. He refused repatriation, arguing a sniper needs only one eye. He earned the nickname “the one-eyed ghost.” Parc Léo-Major commemorates this unwavering spirit. In 1945, during a daring night patrol in Zwolle, Netherlands, his friend, Corporal Welly Arsenault, was killed. Enraged, Major single-handedly charged into the occupied town. He created a diversion, firing his machine gun, throwing grenades, and setting fire to the Gestapo headquarters. He captured dozens of German soldiers, liberating Zwolle with the help of local resistance. This earned him his first Distinguished Conduct Medal. Parc Léo-Major celebrates this astonishing bravery.
After the war, Major returned to his life as a pipefitter. But with the outbreak of the Korean War, he volunteered again. In November 1951, leading a small platoon of 18 men, he recaptured Hill 355 from the Chinese army. They held it for three days against overwhelming odds. This act of extraordinary valor earned him a second Distinguished Conduct Medal. He is one of the few soldiers to receive this honor twice, and the only Canadian to receive it for bravery in two different wars. Parc Léo-Major honors this remarkable achievement. He died in 2008 and is buried at the Last Post Fund National Field of Honour in Pointe-Claire. The city of Zwolle, which he liberated, named a street after him and holds annual ceremonies in his honor. Here at Parc Léo-Major, we too remember his heroism. A plaque details his life and contributions, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire. The park serves as a peaceful place to reflect on the sacrifices made by Léo Major and countless others.