Pastor of First Baptist Church of Detroit from 1938 to 1945, Hillyer Straton created programs to serve both servicemen and relocated Japanese Americans during the War. He instituted a "Nisei-Caucasian Fellowship" program that continued at FBC Detroit for several years following his departure. Straton also maintained correspondence with several Japanese Americans who attended FBC Detroit, including brothers Mitsuo and Haruo Kawamoto, and led a memorial service for Haruo following his death in combat in 1944.
Biography