John Paul Vann (July 2; 1924 - June 9; 1972) was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army; later retired; who became well-known for his role in the Vietnam War; especially in the Central Highlands and around Kontum.

Vann was killed in a helicopter crash in the Central Highlands and buried on June 16; 1972 in Arlington National Cemetery. His funeral was attended by such notables as Gen. William Westmoreland; Maj. Gen. Edward Lansdale; Lt. Col. Lucien Conein; Senator Edward Kennedy; and Daniel Ellsberg.

On June 18; President Richard Nixon posthumously awarded Vann the Medal of Freedom; the nation's highest civilian citation; for his ten years of service as a top American in South Vietnam. For his actions from April 23-24; 1972; Vann; ineligible for the Medal of Honor as a civilian; was also awarded (posthumously) the Distinguished Service Cross; the only civilian so honored in Vietnam.

Journalist Neil Sheehan wrote a Pulitzer Prize-winning Vietnam history and biography of Vann; A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam. In 1998; HBO made a film adapted from the book; with Bill Paxton playing the role of Vann.