USS Harder
Commander Dealey
Posted on 05/24/2024 2:26:47 PM PDT by george76
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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