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S/Sgt Maurice M. Leclair attended high school for four years and worked as a clerk before he joined the National Guard in New York City, New York on 16 September 1940.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously. The citation cited: On 1 January 1945 in the vicinity of Moronville Farms, France. Sgt LeClair, discovered an enemy attacking force approaching his company CP, which was only about 150 yards away. After calling for artillery, he left his position and ran in the direction of the approaching enemy. When about 30 yards from the enemy column, he jumped into a hole and opened fire with his sub-machine gun, killing or wounding eight of the enemy. While withdrawing to his platoon, he was wounded in the stomach by a German machine-pistol bullet. Nevertheless, he reached his platoon and continued to fight until he became too weak to continue. He died of his wounds at the Battalion aid station. Because of his intrepid gallantry and self-sacrifice, Sgt LeClair diverted and weakened the enemy attack enabling his company to defeat the superior enemy force.