Wreck Of World War II U.S. Navy Submarine USS Harder Found After 80 Years In South China Sea

The USS Harder, a US Navy submarine renowned for sinking most Japanese warships during WWII, has been discovered in the South China Sea after 80 years.

According to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC), the wreckage is 3000 feet below the surface of the Philippines’ northern island of Luzon.

The Harder was sunk in battle on August 29, 1944, with all 79 crew members.

During one of its final patrols, the submarine destroyed three Japanese destroyers and severely damaged another two over four days.

This led a Japanese fleet to depart the area ahead of schedule, delaying their carrier force and contributing to Japan’s defeat in the battle.

The former US admiral who leads the NHHC, Samuel J. Cox, stated that the USS Harder was lost in the effort of victory; we mustn’t forget that victory, like freedom, has a cost.

The Lost 52 Project, which aims to locate the 52 US submarines lost during World War II, discovered the USS Harder sitting upright and unexpectedly without damage.

A Japanese depth charge struck the submarine behind its conning tower, causing noticeable damage.

The discovery was achieved using crucial information gathered by Tim Taylor, CEO of the Lost 52 Project.

The Harder, commanded by Samuel D. Dealey, received the nickname “Hit ‘em harder” due to its daring attacks.

The submarine and its crew received the Presidential Unit Citation for their outstanding gallantry, and Dealey was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Dealey received the Navy Cross, two Gold Stars, and the Distinguished Service Cross throughout his career.

In 2015, US millionaire Paul Allen discovered the remains of the Musashi, one of Japan’s two greatest warships, in the Philippines’ Sibuyan Sea.

The waters surrounding the Philippine archipelago have become a resting place for several World War II warships.

The NHHC highlighted the necessity of honouring the wreck as a war grave, stating that it is the ultimate resting place of sailors who sacrificed their lives in defence of the country.

Tim Taylor and his team recently discovered several World War II submarines, including the USS Grayback, USS Grunion, and USS Stickleback.

Taylor won the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award in 2021 for his many accomplishments.

The discovery of the USS Harder highlights the continued efforts to recognise and remember the heroism and sacrifices of World War II service members.

Reference: BBC, CBS News

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Source: Maritime Shipping News