Cherne. who is perhaps best known as executive director of the Research Institute of America. has for almost two decades now played a leading role in the work of the International Rescue Committee. a nonsectarian organization dedicated to the assistance of all those who escape from totalitarian persecution. Mr. Cherne has always believed that in planning any refugee program there is no substitute for onthespot inspection by the responsible heads of an organization. Thus. in helping to organize the IRCs Hungarian refugee relief program. he became one of the first Americans to enter Budapest after its liberation. In his recent tour of Vietnam he helicoptered around much of the countryside. Among other things he visited Dong Xoai shortly after the terrible battle which took place there last month.