Introduction
Bradley Earl Ayers (March 7, 1935 – February 10, 2017) was an American soldier and CIA operative who alleged that former senior JMWAVE officers played a role in the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.
Biography
Ayers enlisted in the United States Army following high school graduation in 1953. In 1963, Ayers worked with the CIA training anti-Castro Cuban exiles. Ayers was one of the first career officers to voice opposition to the Vietnam War and to speak out publicly against the influence of private and special interests in US politics. He was honorably discharged from active duty in 1964. Following that, Ayers worked as a commercial pilot, a private detective, and an undercover operative with the Drug Enforcement Administration's South Florida Task Force.
Personal
At the age of 62, Ayers set the record for the fastest one day ascent-descent of Mount Whitney in California (the highest peak in the continental U.S.), conquering the 14,496-foot mountain in 14 hours, 40 minutes while carrying a 25-pound daypack.
He continued to maintain a vigorous athletic schedule, regularly competing in road and snow-shoe races in his community despite a full VA disability due to injuries sustained in the service of his country.
On July 21, 2010 Ayers announced his engagement to heirloom clothing curio shop owner Cynthia Graham. Both have a long history of activism in military and veterans affairs, progressive politics and social causes, and share animal welfare and environmental quality of life interests. They were married at sunset on September 24, 2010 in an informal military ceremony at the Stillwater Veterans Memorial, Minnesota. Ayers is a native of Stillwater.
Ayers lived in Frederic, Wisconsin. He died on February 10, 2017.
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Bradley Ayers competing in a foot race (Wisconsin, Fall 2008)
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Bradley Ayers and Cynthia Graham engagement photo (July 2010)
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Bradley Ayers and Cynthia Graham wedding photo (September 24, 2010)
Books
Ayers was the author of two books:
- The War That Never Was: An Insider's Account of CIA Covert Operations Against Cuba. (1976)