The wreckage of a US Navy submarine that “sank more Japanese warships than any other” during World War II has been discovered in the South China Sea after being missing for nearly 80 years.
The USS Harder, which disappeared on August 24, 1944 with 79 sailors on board, has been found off the coast of Luzon in the Philippines with the help of data provided by Tim Taylor, CEO of Tiburon Subsea and the Lost 52 Project, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC).
“We are grateful for the opportunity that The Lost 52 provides to once again celebrate the bravery of the crew of the ‘Hit ’em HARDER’ submarine, which, under the command of its legendary Captain, Commander Sam Deely, sank more Japanese warships than any other submarine in some particularly daring attacks,” NHHC Director and retired U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Samuel J. Cox said in a statement.
The agency said the wreckage of the USS Harder “lies in more than 3,000 feet of water” and “is largely intact and upright on its keel, except for damage caused by depth charges aft of the conning tower.”
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A 4D photogrammetric model of the USS Harder at its current anchorage, more than 3,000 feet below sea level in the South China Sea. (Tim Taylor and the Lost 52 Project)
Commissioned in December 1942, the submarine made six patrols before being sunk. During its fifth patrol, described by the NHHC as its “most successful,” it targeted Japanese destroyers, “sinking three and badly damaging or destroying two others in a four-day period.”
During its final patrol, the submarine, assisted by its companion, the USS Haddo, attacked and destroyed three escort ships off the coast of Bao’atan, Philippines.
“Japanese records reveal that the Harder fired three torpedoes at another destroyer, CD-22, in the area on Aug. 24, 1944,” according to the NHHC.
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The USS Harder conducted six wartime patrols and received numerous awards for her service during World War II.
“The Japanese ships evaded the torpedoes and launched a series of depth charge attacks,” the report added, “The fifth charge attack sank the Harder and her crew.”
According to NHHC, the USS Harder was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and six battle stars following its service in World War II.
Commander Sam Deely of the USS Harder was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. (Naval History and Heritage Command)
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“Commander Deely was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his outstanding contributions to the war effort during Harder’s fifth patrol,” it added. “Other awards awarded to Commander Deely included the Navy Cross during Harder’s first patrol (September 1943), a Gold Star in lieu of a second Navy Cross during Harder’s second patrol (November 1943), a second Gold Star in lieu of a third Navy Cross during Harder’s third patrol (February 1944), the Distinguished Service Cross (July 1944), a third Gold Star in lieu of a fourth Navy Cross during Harder’s fourth patrol (July 1944), and a posthumous Silver Star during Harder’s sixth patrol (October 1948).”
