Over 60 years later, the fairly insane notion that the United States should have immediately began hostilities against the Soviet Union at the close of World War II is still heard in some corners. In an age that still expected honorable conduct from its leaders, an unprovoked attack on a sovereign nation, damning U.S. soldiers to additional years of bloody combat, would have enraged the American people and brought down the government.

Under Terry de la Mesa Allen's firm leadership, the 104th became a crack division thanks to hard training. It was involved in some of the hardest fighting during the war's last days and linked up with Soviet forces in late April. The Red Army's cavalry remained in the front line until the war's end, and 3rd Guards Cavalry Division took a key role in isolating Berlin. Cavalry divisions remained in the Red Army until the 1950's, though they were withdrawn to home military districts after 1945.