[2] 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.

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.

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.