John Barron was born in Texas, graduated from the University of Missouri, and studied Russian in the Navy

* John Barron was born in Texas, graduated from the University of Missouri, and studied Russian in the Navy. After serving as an intelligence officer in Berlin for two years, he embarked on a new career as a journalist, first for the Washington Star and then, from 1965 to 1991, for Reader's Digest.

He never lost his interest in espionage, and he devoted the bulk of his work to exposing the evils of Communism in general and the schemes of the KGB in particular. One of his bestselling books prompted the Soviet spy agency to issue at least 370 damage assessments and other reports. It also tried to smear Barron personally, but without success: His articles and books continued to perform the vital function of educating ordinary Americans about the meaning and stakes of the Cold War. One of the finest reporters of his generation, Barron died on February 24, at the age of 75. R.I.P.

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