The irony is that the US could have been in space first.
Von Braun in his later years recounted how he had been pushing for a satellite launch in the early ‘50s, and figured that the US could have pulled it off as early as 1955 - even then, they were so much further ahead of the USSR technologically.
The problem was short-sighted government and military leaders, who simply could appreciate the potential of a new technology. As a result, the US constantly played catch-up to the USSR in the early years of the Space Race.
err, make that “could NOT appreciate” ...
To be fair regarding that last bit, there was also the issue with how our launching first would have posed some problems due to it technically violating certain aspects of international law, and considering the Communists are infamous for throwing tantrums across the globe if they don’t get their way by instigating global protests (like with the execution of the Rosenbergs), we did have to be very concerned about that aspect.
But regarding the overall topic, honestly, if we are to use their logic regarding technological innovation celebration, they should have no problems advocating for the launch of S3 missiles by the Nazis due to it ultimately leading to peaceful space exploration, or heck, even our developing the nuclear bomb, yet I don’t see them doing that. And that’s of course ignoring that they’re deliberately ignoring military-related holidays.