Well, I guess if someone brought Goddard to his attention he could get started in that direction...assuming Goddard's willing (any thoughts?). More than likely once the US enters the war (no way they get to orbit before that) they end up working on military rocketry (I'd assume small tactical stuff). Once the V2 appears they get alot more attention and funding, or even recovered parts. Perhaps this distracts Hughes from other projects (no Goose?).
Once the war's over there might be enough of a basic rocket infastructure that (assuming they still round up Von Braun and company, which seriously complicates matters since Goddard IIRC considered Von Braun a war criminal) puts them at a head start, meaning they could beat Sputnik to orbit.