Allowing Americans to bring advanced underwater robots into Vietnamese-controlled areas of the South China Sea equipment that could have military applications for both governments is also diplomatically sensitive. According to Mr. Pietruszka, obtaining permissions for the latest expedition was difficult for all.Since 1995, when the two countries established normal relations, U.S.-Vietnamese ties has been steadily improving. Le Van Cuong, a former Vietnamese major general, stated that Vietnam allows such projects to build trust with its former enemy.He said that the most distinctive characteristic of Vietnamese people is their desire to help others.Fireball in the SkyPaul Andrew Avolese was born June 12, 1932. His family refused to interview him, according to archival military records. He was originally from New York, and he served in Vietnam's Air Forces 4133d Bomb Wing.Documents show that he was flying with his crew from Guam, along with other B-52s, to bomb South Vietnam's target on July 7, 1967. Two bombers were flying 65 miles southeast from Saigon, South Vietnam's capital at the time, when they collided.Image Maj. Paul A. Avolese, undated photo. Credit... U.S. Air ForceEight days after the crash, Col. Mitchell A. Cobeaga from the Air Force informed Major Avoleses' parents via a letter that the cause of the collision had not been determined. He said that every man in the 4133d Bomb Wing shared your concern about your son.Major Avolese was 35 when the crash occurred. He was declared dead just days after the letter was sent. The U.S. military declared his remains non-recoverable, along with those of five other missing persons, a few days after the letter was written. Investigators continued to pursue potential leads for decades about the wreckage of two B-52s.
