On his first ever technical surveillance operation, Ayer discovered that Arvad was romantically involved with one of his Harvard classmates, John F. Kennedy, then an ensign in the US Navy's Office of Naval Intelligence.
The discovery of Kennedy's involvement with a married woman led to him being transferred to Charleston, South Carolina, where he had little access to classified materials and increased surveillance on Arvad.
He later as the chief of the mission's Intelligence and Security Division, where he was tasked with stopping Communist activities in relation to the American aid program.
[8][9] In April 1950, Ayer was named assistant counsel to the Tydings Committee, a United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations subcommittee investigating alleged communism in the State Department on the recommendation of Senators Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. and Bourke B.
He supported the creation of a state school for police officers similar to the FBI National Academy in Washington, D.C., stricter enforcement of fire codes, higher pay for police officers, higher standards for doctors, and an anti-pollution program.
[3] Ayer defeated 4 other candidates, including future Attorney General George Fingold, to win the Republican primary.
[13][14][15] Ayer lost to Kelly 52% to 47%, but received more votes than any other Republican candidate, including gubernatorial nominee Arthur W.
His books included "Before the Color Fades: Portrait of a Soldier" about his uncle George S. Patton, "The Man in the Mirror: A Novel of Espionage", "Yankee G-Men", and "Walter, the Improbable Hound."
[20] He also wrote articles for Massachusetts newspapers, including The Boston Globe on a number of subjects, chiefly European affairs.