Edward Charles Straka was born in Illinois on June 14, 1922. The son of a Czechoslovakian immigrant, Straka grew up with four brothers and sisters. At the onset of World War II, he joined the Navy. Straka served in the Navy throughout the war and continued to serve during the 1950s. During that time, Straka was stationed at numerous locations and documented his travels through postcards. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Straka moved back to Chicago where he taught in the Chicago Public School system. Straka never married, but was a devoted uncle to his three nieces and nephews. He died in 2007 in Chicago, Illinois.
From the description of The Edward C. Straka Collection. (Pritzker Military Library). WorldCat record id: 248044571
