prefer the government of Vietnam to a Communist government or the government that's being offered by the other side." "These people may be the world's greatest lovers but they're not the world's greatest fighters. But they're good people and they can win a war if someone shows them how." (speaking about the South Vietnamese) "That’s the best damn bombing I’ve seen in my 11 years over here!" (speaking about the South Vietnam Air Force pilots in Kontum 1972) "I will turn this into a burning Hell" speaking to MACV Team 36 advisor CPT RE McCall in February 1972 regarding the planned NVA offensive in Pleiku Province." Awards Dates of rank Enlisted – 10 March 1943 2nd Lieutenant – 10 February 1945 1st Lieutenant – 17 April 1947 Captain – 13 September 1950 Major – 19 April 1955 Lieutenant Colonel – 26 May 1961 See also Robert Komer Neil Sheehan A Bright Shining Lie Tran Ngoc Chau References Sources External links Red Tanks, Troops Near Kontum John Paul Vann: Man and Legend article by Peter Kross Vann's DSC award information at the National Archives An American Soldier in Vietnam — The Rooster and the Tiger profile by Neil Sheehan 1924 births 1972 deaths Military personnel from Norfolk, Virginia Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Burials at Arlington National Cemetery Ferrum College alumni Rutgers University alumni Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs alumni Martin J. Whitman School of Management alumni Martin Marietta people United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni United States Army colonels United States Army Air Forces officers United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II United States Army personnel of the Korean War United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1972 Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in Vietnam Victims of helicopter accidents or incidents Vietnam War casualties