Robert V. Maraist

Robert Victor Maraist (February 28, 1893 – February 18, 1961) was a brigadier general in the United States Army, the last commander of the 69th Infantry Division during World War II. After the war, he became Director of New Orleans Civil Defense.

Early life

Robert Victor Maraist was born on February 28, 1893, in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. He enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Great War with distinction and received French Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Palm. Maraist subsequently served with occupation forces in Germany. After returning to the United States, Maraist married Evelyn Mary Fournet on June 24, 1920.

After the war, Maraist stayed in the army and served at several military camps, including Fort Myer, Virginia.

Second World War

In 1940, Maraist was appointed as Commanding Officer of 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. Two years later, Colonel Maraist was promoted to the capacity of Commanding Officer of Artillery of the 1st Armored Division under command of Major general Orlando Ward. Maraist earned two Silver stars during fighting in Tunisia with 1st Armored.

In July 1943, Maraist was transferred to the newly formed 16th Armored Division at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, to retake command of its Combat Command Group. The division was in the command of Major General Douglass T. Greene at that time.

Maraist spent six months with the division before he was transferred again, this time to the 69th Infantry division, where he retook the post of Divisional Artillery Commander. Maraist arrived with his 69th Infantry Division in Europe at the beginning of December, 1944. Maraist spent the rest of the war as a Divisional Artillery Commander and eventually was appointed as a new 69th Divisional Commander, when he replaced Major General Emil F. Reinhardt in August, 1945.

Life after War

Maraist stayed in command of 69th Infantry division until its deactivation in September, 1945. Then Brigadier general Maraist returned to the United States and became a Civil Defense Director in New Orleans.

In this capacity, Maraist strongly advocated preparing the civilian population to withstand nuclear attack and proposed the construction of fallout shelters in public buildings like schools and hospitals.

Brigadier General Maraist's ribbon bar: