In a significant historical discovery, the wreck of the USS Harder, one of the most formidable US Navy submarines from World War II, has been located 3,000 feet underwater off the northern island of Luzon in the Philippines, in the South China Sea. The submarine, renowned for sinking a record number of Japanese warships during the war, was destroyed 80 years ago.
The USS Harder’s final mission ended on August 29, 1944, during a battle that resulted in the loss of all 79 crew members. Just before its demise, the submarine managed to sink three Japanese destroyers and severely damage two others over a span of four days, inflicting considerable damage on Japanese naval operations. These actions significantly disrupted Japanese war plans and contributed to the eventual defeat of their naval forces, according to the US Navy’s History and Heritage Command (NHHC).
Samuel J. Cox, a retired US admiral and head of the NHHC, emphasized the sacrifices made for victory and freedom, noting, “Harder was lost in the course of victory. We must not forget that victory has a price, as does freedom.”
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The Philippines played a crucial role in the Pacific theater of World War II, with numerous fierce battles as the US sought to reclaim its former colony from Japanese forces. The waters surrounding the Philippines have since become the resting place for several historic World War II warships. For instance, in 2015, an expedition led by US billionaire Paul Allen discovered the wreck of the Musashi, one of Japan’s largest warships, in the Sibuyan Sea.
The USS Harder, named after its motto “Hit ’em harder,” was found by the Lost 52 Project, an initiative dedicated to locating the 52 US submarines lost during World War II. The submarine was found in an upright position and relatively intact, as confirmed by the US Navy.
In recognition of its extraordinary heroism, the USS Harder and its crew were posthumously awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. The submarine’s captain, Commander Sam Dealey, received the Medal of Honor, the highest military award in the United States, for his valiant service.
