At a time when America thought it desperately needed rocket technology they went to the source. And in order to be able to do it, they had to whitewash the guy.

Try to think of it as having a brain tumor. Not only you, but your kids and neighbor had the same tumor. The ONLY person who could operate on it successfully was a very bad guy. In the past he had been mean evil, corrupt and cruel, though he could not be any more. And he's one helluva surgeon. Would you want this guy to operate on you, and live, or that he be taken out behind the barn and shot? You, your kids, and neighbor die.

That was how it seemed to folks at the time. The US managed to separate the asshole from the scientist and used the scientist.

A compromise with the Devil? Yes. Worth it? I don't know, but I do understand why it was done.

Arf