Brian McDonald
The final resting place of an iconic U.S. Navy submarine that was sunk 80 years ago during World War II was located 3,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, the Naval History and Heritage Command said Thursday.
O USS most difficult – which earned the nickname “Hit ’em HARDER” – was found on the Philippine island of Luzon, sitting upright and “relatively intact” except for damage behind its conning tower caused by a Japanese depth charge, the command said. The submarine was discovered using data collected by Tim Taylor, CEO of Project 52 lostwho works to locate the 52 submarines sunk during World War II.
Tim Taylor and the Lost 52 Project.
The USS Harder, led by famous Cmdr. Samuel D. Dealey earned a legendary reputation during her fifth patrol, when she sank three destroyers and seriously damaged two others in just four days, forcing a Japanese fleet to leave the area ahead of schedule, the command said. This early departure forced the Japanese commander delayed his aircraft carrier force in the Philippine Sea, which ultimately led to Japan’s defeat in the ensuing battle.
But Harder’s luck changed in late August 1944. Early on August 22, Harder and the USS Haddo destroyed three escort ships off the coast of Bataan. Accompanied by USS Hake later that night, the three ships headed for Caiman Point, Luzon, before Haddo departed to replenish her torpedo supply. Before dawn on August 24, Hake spotted an enemy escort ship and patrol boat and dove deep into the ocean to escape.
Japanese records later revealed that Harder fired three times at the Japanese escort ship, but he avoided the torpedoes and began a series of depth charge attacks, sinking Harder and killing all 79 crew.
Naval History and Heritage Command
The “excellent state of preservation of the site” and the quality of the data collected by Lost 52 allowed the Navy History and Heritage Command to confirm that the sinking was in fact more difficult.
“We lose more in the course of victory. We must not forget that victory has a price, as does freedom,” said NHHC Director Samuel J. Cox, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Retired). “We are grateful that Lost 52 has given us the opportunity to once again honor the valor of the crew of the ‘Hit ’em HARDER’ submarine who sank most of the Japanese warships – in particularly audacious attacks – under their legendary captain, Cmdr. Sam. Dealey.”
Harder received the Presidential Unit Citation for his first five patrols and six battle stars for service in World War II, and Cmdr. Dealey was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. During his career, Dealey also received a Navy Cross, two Gold Stars and the Distinguished Service Cross.
Naval History and Heritage Command
Taylor, the CEO of Project Lost 52, previously located other submarines lost during World War II, including the USS Grayback, USS SticklebackIt is USS Grunion. Taylor received the Navy’s 2021 Distinguished Public Service Award for his work.
Last September, deep-sea explorers captured images of three shipwrecks from the Battle of Midway in World War II, including the first close-up photos of a Japanese aircraft carrier since it sank during the historic 1942 battle.
