I spent a couple of years in Germany, in the early 1980s.
Those old enough to have actually lived through the "war" including an elderly man who was forced to fiddle for Hitler, were incredibly and embarassably grateful to uniformed troops of the USA.
Everyone else just looked to us as a meal ticket,ignored us, or tried to blow us up.
I really don't care what the entire rest of the world thinks of the the USA, as long as they fear us.
Fear is a healthy thing.It stops a lot of stupid decisions.
You're right. Those who lived under the harsh conditions immediately following the war, through our aid, then the threat of Soviet invasion, were grateful. Their grandchildren have no memory...I hope we don't have to teach them also.