Larry Ashcraft (K8RXM)

Larry, also known as Sir Lawrence, or The Rite Wonderful became a silent key on New Years Day. The newspaper had the standard information about Larry. What they did not say was that Larry was President Johnson's personal interpretor during the Vietnam War. Larry was a genuine war hero, with a Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Larry was very active on VHF and HF RTTY in the late 1970's. When I was first licensed in 1977, Larry's RTTY station was the model that I built mine. Larry was one of the founding members of the Cincinnati Repeater Assoc. and was one of the driving forces to create the WARN (SKYWARN) group here in Cincinnati. Larry was a driving force in Cincinnati Public Radio, he ran the fund raisers for WVXU-FM. Larry will be missed.

Contributed by: N8EXF (N8EXF)

We've lost one of our brightest and best. I can still hear his voice in my head.

Contributed by: Victor Blackwell (AD8K)

We sincerely regret hearing of the passing of an old friend, Larry. During the period of time, from 1966 to 1974 when we lived in Wyoming OH, we became good friends. He had a great personality and was truly knowledgable on many subjects. He lead us to understand that he was a special agent for the CIA. On occasions, with no announcement to his friends, he would leave the Cincinnati OH area and not return for many months. All we knew was that he was on "assignment". We also understand that he was the government official who flew in a helecopter over My Lai, Vietnam and announced in Vietnamese, via a powerful public address system attached to the helecopter, to those who lived in the village, that it was going to be destroyed, that they should leave immediately! He indicated his action was further enforced via leaflets that were dropped into the village, from the helicopter. Remember the Lt. William Cally case? That was the village!!! One might question if Lt Cally was wrongfully charged. Indeed, many of us regret the passing of K8RXM, may he rest in peace.

Contributed by: W8JGP (W8JGP)

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