Posted on 05/24/2024 2:26:47 PM PDT by george76
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.
The USS Harder – which earned the nickname "Hit 'em HARDER" – was found off the Philippine island of Luzon, sitting upright and "relatively intact" except for damage behind its conning tower from a Japanese depth charge, the command said. The sub was discovered using data collected by Tim Taylor, CEO of the Lost 52 Project, which works to locate the 52 submarines sunk during World War II.
The USS Harder, led by famed Cmdr. Samuel D. Dealey, earned a legendary reputation during its fifth patrol when it sunk three destroyers and heavily damaged two others in just four days, forcing a Japanese fleet to leave the area ahead of schedule, the command said. That early departure forced the Japanese commander to delay his carrier force in the Philippine Sea, which ultimately led to Japan being defeated in the ensuing battle.
But Harder's fortunes changed in late August 1944. Early on Aug. 22, Harder and USS Haddo destroyed three escort ships off the coast of Bataan. Joined by USS Hake later that night, the three vessels headed for Caiman Point, Luzon, before Haddo left to replenish its torpedo stockpile. Before dawn on Aug. 24, Hake sighted an enemy escort ship and patrol boat and plunged deep into the ocean to escape.
Japanese records later revealed Harder fired three times at the Japanese escort ship, but it evaded the torpedoes and began a series of depth charge attacks, sinking Harder and killing all 79 crewmembers
...
The "excellent state of preservation of the site" and the quality of the data collected by Lost 52 allowed the Navy's History and Heritage Command to confirm the wreck was indeed Harder.
"Harder was lost 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 that sank the most Japanese warships – in particularly audacious attacks – under her legendary skipper, Cmdr. Sam Dealey."
Harder received the Presidential Unit Citation for her first five patrols and six battle stars for World War II service, 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.
Taylor, the Lost 52 Project CEO, previously located other submarines lost during World War II, including the USS Grayback, USS Stickleback, and USS Grunion. Taylor received a Distinguished Public Service Award from the Navy in 2021 for his work.
The Naval History and Heritage Command said the SS Harder wreck "represents the final resting place of sailors that gave their life in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave."
Other famed warships have been found in the waters off the Phillipines. In 2015, U.S. billionaire Paul Allen located the wreck of the Musashi, one of the two largest Japanese warships ever built, in the Philippines' Sibuyan Sea.
Last September, deep-sea explorers captured images of three shipwrecks from World War II's Battle of Midway, including the first up-close photos of a Japanese aircraft carrier since it sank during the historic battle in 1942.
Thank you.
Thanks to your dad for his service. In Memoriam.
Thanks for posting what Memorial really stands for.
Hull breach allowed the pressure to equalize going down.
IIRC, a LCDR who commanded a boat was referred to as Commander, even as an O-4 rather than an O-5. I could be wrong there.
He had no braid on his visor, so LCDR unless he was promoted after that picture was taken above.
umm, incorrect, the officer in charge of a ship is referred to as Captain regardless of rank. I had just misremembered reading his/Harder’s remarkable exploits decades ago.
Also, though I didn’t recall many/most US Pacific subs with a full CDR as Captain his citations answers my ques
Then I am incorrect if you are right. I was puzzled as to why you would ask the question if you knew.
I asked the question based on decades old memory, and before more posts and info here.
It is also possible that he was promoted post fourth tour which probably was where the account I was reading would have ended.
And by the way, I was referring to it in the sense of a “frocking”, not in the sense of an actual position as the Captain of a vessel.
I had thought that a LCDR in command of a vessel was referred to as “Commander” when being introduced or addressed by other officers in his role and not differentiating between LCDR and CDR. I don’t think it would be the same for a LT who was in charge of a boat.
Dick O’Kane and Mush Morton
Two names I’ve not heard in a long time.
umm, see above
Sounds likely and that mean some were probably trapped all the way down. As a former sub sailor,.... not nice
Lol…I am completely butchering this. I am shutting up now!
Read it. It’s great. I also read both of O’Kane’s books. Fantastic.
My guess that the hole the depth charge made caused a rapid loss of air and that the Harder wasn’t at “crush” depth when the hole was made, thus sinking to 3,000 feet with equal internal/external pressure.
However, I welcome correction from anyone with good knowledge of why it is intact.
No correction necessary ,I think your right on, it was quick thankfully.
sounds reasonable
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
