Ira Harkey was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, son of a wealthy businessman. He graduated from Tulane University, where he was a brother with the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity (Tau Lambda chapter), with an undergraduate degree in journalism in 1941 and then served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) in the Pacific theater during World War II.
Ira Harkey, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to a wealthy family, graduated from Tulane University with a degree in journalism. Afterward, he served on the aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) during World War II in the Pacific theater.