USS Harder
Commander Dealey
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.
One of the great submarines and submarine commanders from WWII.
Waas Sam Dealy CDR or LCDR ?
Still on eternal patrol but now we know details of their fate. Remember the crew this Memorial Day.
Surprised it’s not completely imploded, flattened and twisted up
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. Harder during her 5th War Patrol in Japanese-controlled waters. Floodlit by a bright moon and disclosed to an enemy destroyer escort which bore down with intent to attack, Comdr. Dealey quickly dived to periscope depth and waited for the pursuer to close range, then opened fire, sending the target and all aboard down in flames with his third torpedo. Plunging deep to avoid fierce depth charges, he again surfaced and, within 9 minutes after sighting another destroyer, had sent the enemy down tail first with a hit directly amidship. Evading detection, he penetrated the confined waters off Tawi Tawi with the Japanese Fleet base 6 miles away and scored death blows on 2 patrolling destroyers in quick succession. With his ship heeled over by concussion from the first exploding target and the second vessel nose-diving in a blinding detonation, he cleared the area at high speed. Sighted by a large hostile fleet force on the following day, he swung his bow toward the lead destroyer for another "down-the-throat" shot, fired 3 bow tubes and promptly crash-dived to be terrifically rocked seconds later by the exploding ship as the Harder passed beneath. This remarkable record of 5 vital Japanese destroyers sunk in 5 short-range torpedo attacks attests the valiant fighting spirit of Comdr. Dealey and his indomitable command."
Most likely fully flooded, or she would have been crushed
Very timely announcement this Memorial Day weekend.
Dying on a submarine is not a good way to go. My dad served on a Guppy class sub, I think it was called. Ordinarily when a submarine is diving or surfacing, all the commands are crisp and clean and Navy like, Aye-aye sir and the rest of it. He said one time the order came to surface, and they kept going down and down for some reason. Finally, over the intercom, the captain yelled “Take this son of a bitch UP!” LOL
Cool story. I wasn’t aware of the USS Harder. What brave patriots they were. Amazing the people this country has produced. I have very serious doubts whether the US could prevail against any serious adversary toady. Should such a conflict occur at any time in the near future a lot of people in this country and around the world are going to be absolutely shocked, no stunned.
bmkd
“Surprised it’s not completely imploded, flattened and twisted up”
my first thought as well ...
“Here’s Commander Dealey’s Medal Of Honor Citation. Like so many other WWII sub commanders, including Richard O’Kane, Mush Morton and Gene Fluckey, he had great skill and titanium balls.”
Gene Fluckey
“Thunder Below!: The USS *Barb* Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II”
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NVUGYYW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1
She flooded on the way down, so there was minimal differential pressure across the hull...at least not enough to cause an implosion. Any isolated compartments inside would have collapsed, as internal bulkheads are not designed to withstand that kind of pressure.
USS Harder
Commander Dealey
perhaps
Great story for Memorial Day remembrances.
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