Vann was born John Paul Tripp in Norfolk, Virginia, out of wedlock, to John Spry and Myrtle Lee Tripp. Vann\'s mother married Aaron Frank Vann, and Vann took his stepfather\'s surname; Vann had three half-siblings, from Aaron and Myrtle: Dorothy Lee, Aaron Frank, Jr., and Eugene Wallace. In 1942, Aaron Vann officially adopted him. The Vann children grew up in near-poverty, although, through the patronage of a wealthy member of his church, Vann was able to attend boarding school at Ferrum College. He graduated from its high school in 1941, and from its junior college program in 1943. With the onset of World War II, Vann sought to become an aviator/pilot.\n', '

In 1943, at the age of 18, Vann enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He underwent pilot training, transferred to navigation school, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1945. However, the war ended before he could see action.[citation needed]\n', '

Vann married Mary Jane Allen of Rochester, New York in October 1945, at the age of 21. They had five children.\n', '

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