John Howard Kitching (July 16, 1838 – January 10 or 11, 1865), often referred to as J. Howard Kitching, was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He served in the cavalry, artillery and infantry in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Shenandoah. He received a posthumous brevet promotion to brigadier general after a mortal wounding at the battle of Cedar Creek.