In August 1972, the mayor of the Canadian town of Wynyard received a letter from the mayor of the French town of Le Martre de Ver. The French mayor invited the Canadian delegation to honor their compatriot, a sergeant of the Canadian Air Force, who sacrificed his life during World War II to save dozens of residents of Le Martre de Ver from execution. The mayor of Wynyard was extremely surprised, as no one in his town knew about this hero. The name of the Canadian sergeant was Peter Dmytruk.

He was born in 1920 to a family of immigrants from Russia. During World War II, he served as a gunner on a bomber. In the summer of 1942, his crew went on a mission and was shot down near Paris. Dmytruk was the only survivor. He was rescued and cared for by the local villagers, who then handed him over to the French Resistance fighters, who helped him prepare to cross over to the British. However, seeing the horrors of occupied France, Peter decided to stay and fight with the partisans. As part of the squad, he set ambushes, carried out sabotage, and attacked German columns, showing incredible bravery and courage. The French nicknamed him Pierre le Canadien, and he was not afraid of the most risky missions.

His last act of sabotage took place on December 8, 1943, when he blew up a train carrying ammunition. The Germans, believing it was the work of partisans, took dozens of residents of Le Martre de Ver hostage, planning to execute them. Dmytruk thwarted their plans by attacking the executioners and leading them into the forest. Unfortunately, he could not shake off the pursuit and was killed in a shootout. The fascists, having searched his body, mistook him for a British paratrooper and released the townspeople. Later, the townspeople buried Dmytruk with honors and held an annual memorial service at his grave. In 1972, a delegation from Wynyard was able to honor the memory of their hero.