After eight decades, the renowned World War II U.S. Navy submarine USS Harder’s wreckage was found in the South China Sea. Resting at a depth of approximately 3,000 feet (about 900 meters) off the northern Philippine island of Luzon, the submarine remains mostly intact, except for damage caused by a Japanese depth charge near its conning tower.
On August 24, 1944, during its sixth wartime patrol, the USS Harder sank in battle, taking its entire crew of 79 sailors down with it. The submarine was assisting the U.S. in liberating the Philippines from Japanese occupation.
“Harder met its fate amidst victory. It’s essential to remember that victory comes with a cost, just as freedom does,” emphasized NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, a retired U.S. Navy admiral, in the official press release.
After successfully sinking two Japanese escort ships near Bataan on August 22, 1944, the USS Harder proceeded northward along the Luzon coast in the company of two other submarines, actively searching for additional targets.
On the morning of August 24th, tragedy unfolded as Harder’s three torpedoes failed to hit their target during a confrontation with the Japanese escort ship CD-22. Based on captured Japanese records, the CD-22 tenaciously pursued the Harder, eventually causing the American submarine’s demise through a fifth depth charge attack.
The Lost 52 Project, spearheaded by Tim Taylor of Tiburon Subsea, has confirmed the wreck site of the World War II submarine USS Harder (SS 257). Their mission is to locate and memorialize all 52 US submarines lost during the war. Impressively, the project has already discovered six other sunken submarines from that era.
“We are grateful that Lost 52 has given us the opportunity to once again honour the valour of the crew of the ‘Hit ’em Harder’ submarine,” the NHHC’s Cox said, about the vessel’s motto.
“the final resting place of Sailors that gave their life in defence of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave,” the NHHC said the wreck.
On December 8, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on the Philippines, just ten hours after their attack on Pearl Harbor. The initial aerial bombardment was followed by landings of ground troops both north and south of Manila. The bombing destroyed almost all of a new fleet of P-40 fighters and B-17 bombers, as well as many other military planes.
By mid-1944, the momentum of the war had shifted in favor of the United States. As they steadily pushed back Japanese forces across the Pacific, their strategic focus turned to liberating the Philippines.
The USS Harder, under the command of the fearless Captain Samuel Dealey, played a pivotal role during its fifth patrol (March-July 1944). Remarkably, within just four days, the Harder sank three Japanese destroyers and potentially inflicted heavy damage on two more.
During a critical moment, Captain Dealey executed a bold maneuver. Confronted by an advancing Japanese destroyer, he issued the command for a daring “down the throat” torpedo attack, directing the torpedo straight at the enemy’s bow.
At a distance of 1,500 yards, Captain Dealey launched three torpedoes and immediately ordered the submarine to dive. As the USS Harder maneuvered beneath the Japanese destroyer, two of the torpedoes found their mark, creating powerful shock waves that reverberated through the submarine.
During its first four patrols after commissioning in December 1942, the USS Harder sank a total of 14 Japanese warships and merchant vessels. The Harder’s impressive record demonstrates its effectiveness in naval warfare during World War II.
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