John Harman (British Army soldier)

John Harman (1939 – 1965) was a British Army soldier posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Harman, a Private in the 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, earned the award for his actions on 20 July 1965, during operations in Borneo against Indonesian forces during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation (also known as the Borneo Confrontation).

On that day, Harman was part of a patrol ambushed by a large Indonesian force. During the ensuing battle, Harman, despite being wounded, repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to provide covering fire for his comrades, allowing them to withdraw to a more defensible position. Critically, he also destroyed the enemy's forward machine gun post with grenades, significantly disrupting their attack.

Harman was killed during this action. His courage and self-sacrifice were considered instrumental in preventing further casualties to his patrol. He is buried at Labuan War Cemetery in Malaysia. His Victoria Cross is held by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum.