John "Blackjack" Harriman

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Biography
John Harriman
Full Name:	John Jason Harriman I
Known aliases:	"Blackjack"
Species:	Human
Gender:	male
Affiliation:	Federation Starfleet
Family
Father:	Harriman
Children:	John Harriman
Other relatives:	Amina Sasine (daughter-in-law)
Career
Occupation:	officer
Previous Assignment:	Starfleet Command, commander in chief
Final Assignment:	Starfleet Command, admiralty
Rank:	fleet admiral
Insignia:

John Jason "Blackjack" Harriman I was a human Starfleet Officer who held the rank of Admiral by the late 2280s. For several years (including 2289 and 2290) he served as the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet. He had one son, John Jason Harriman II, best known for his tenure as captain of the USS Enterprise-B. Physically speaking, he resembled his son, but had a broader and more rugged appearance. (TOS novel: Forged in Fire)

Harriman was known as "Jack" since childhood and earned the nickname "Blackjack" while attending Starfleet Academy, in recognition of his skill in card games. (TOS novel: The Captain's Daughter)

Blackjack's father fought in the Earth-Romulan War and often reminded his son that Romulans do not take captives. Years later, Blackjack would tell these stories to his own son, passing down an interest in Romulan history and culture as a result. (TLE novel: Serpents Among the Ruins)

Blackjack held the rank of ensign on the USS Allegiance when the ship visited Alonis. It was here that he met Los Tirasol Mentir for the first time, and over the years they two would develop a close friendship. Later when Blackjack had earned the rank of Captain, he sponsored Mentir's application to Starfleet Academy, making Mentir only the second Alonis accepted. Harriman also served at one point on the USS Sea of Tranquility during which time John Jr. was born. (TLE novel: Serpents Among the Ruins)

Blackjack was often accused of wearing his son's career as a medal. He openly admitted using his influence in order to guide his son's career, including his assignment as commander of the Enterprise-B. Already strained, their relationship came to a breaking point when the Enterprise was assigned to enforce a quarantine on Askalon V. The senior Harriman had ordered weapons fire against the USS Excelsior for violating that quarantine, and his son refused, instead relieving the admiral and having him beamed from the bridge to the brig. Thereafter, father and son communicated only in their official capacities. (TOS novel: The Captain's Daughter; TLE novel: Serpents Among the Ruins)

In 2311, Blackjack was observing the USS Universe trials from the USS Ad Astra. When the testbed exploded, the force sent Blackjack flying into a bulkhead causing subdural hematomata. Blackjack was critically injured and died a few weeks later, refusing to see his son for the duration of that time and still referring to him as weak, undisciplined, and ungrateful. Hoping to give Blackjack's son a bit of peace, Demora Sulu told the younger Harriman that his father said that he loved him shortly before dying. (TLE novel: Serpents Among the Ruins)

Commanders-in-Chief of the Federation Starfleet
	Jonathan Archer • Marcus van Diemen • Bull Buchinsky • Heihachiro Nogura • Dai Mehkan • Harold Morrow • Lance Cartwright • Robert Bennett • John "Blackjack" Harriman • William Smillie • Androvar Drake • Margaret Sinclair-Alexander • (Chekov) • Huang • Edward Jellico • Leonard James Akaar