Isaac Henry Strauss was born in Long Island, New York on 1914 Dec 30. He attended New York University where he was a diving champion and graduated in 1936 with a Bachelor of Science degree. After college Strauss married Joan Straus and joined the United States Naval Reserve as an apprentice seaman. He was called to active duty on 1941 May 5, and was assigned as a quartermaster/signalman third class on the USS POLLUX, a converted supply ship.

The USS POLLUX crashed onto the cliffs of Placentia Bay, Newfoundland on 1942 Feb 18 along with the USS TRUXTUN. The ships lost 203 men and the 183 survivors were pulled ashore and cared for by local fishermen and women. In honor of the brave actions of the Newfoundlanders, the United States government had a hospital built in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, and called it the United States Memorial Hospital. Following the wreck Strauss went on to become an ensign and later commanded SC 668, a sub chaser.

Following his four and a half years in the Navy, Strauss began his own company, Henry Strauss and Co. Incorporated. He later became a documentary filmmaker and wrote two magazine articles about the wreck.