​​Leo Major was born on 23 January 1921, in New Bedford, USA, as the oldest of thirteen children. He grew up under difficult circumstances and left home at a young age. At eighteen, driven by a thirst for adventure, he enlisted in the Canadian Army. As a member of the French-speaking Régiment de la Chaudière, he was trained as a sharpshooter and scout, and landed in Normandy on D-Day. 

​During the battles in Europe, he was wounded twice. In Normandy, he lost the sight in his left eye but returned to the Front. Later, he sustained injuries when his vehicle hit a mine. Nevertheless, he kept fighting, determined to complete his mission. His stubbornness often put him at odds with his superiors, but his bravery earned him his rank back each time. 

​The liberation of Zwolle is the most remarkable chapter in his war story. On the night of 13 to14 April 1945, Leo Major, along with his friend Willy, volunteered to infiltrate the city and scout German positions. Shortly after entering, Willy was killed, which drove Leo into a rage. Alone, he attacked several German posts, throwing grenades, firing his Sten gun, and capturing ten German soldiers. Throughout the night, he repeated this action several times. Eventually, his relentless attacks instilled such fear in the remaining German troops that they fled the city. 

​By morning, Canadian forces entered the city, but according to the story, Leo Major had already been there. He is said to have spent six hours in the city, made contact with the resistance, and then returned to his unit, utterly exhausted. For this extraordinary act, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal – one of the highest British decorations for bravery. 

​However, the liberation of Zwolle is not a clear-cut story. Several regiments claim to have been the first in the city. The 7th Recce Regiment reported having advanced into Zwolle as early as the evening of 13 April. The Regina Rifles also sent patrols the next morning, finding no German troops remaining. Even the Dutch Resistance fighters from Almelo reported entering the city without any Canadian forces. Who truly liberated Zwolle first may never be known with certainty. But the story of Leo Major – the man who single-handedly liberated a city – remains one of the most heroic and captivating moments in the liberation of the Netherlands.