Lost WW2 Submarine USS Harder Found Just Off Luzon

(SPOT.ph) In a rare discovery, the wreck of USS Harder, a submarine that saw action in the Philippines during World War 2, has been found deep in the waters just off Luzon, the US Navy’s Naval History and Heritage Command confirmed earlier this week.

The submarine was found at a depth of over 900 meters off the Philippines' western coast through the Lost 52 Project, an ongoing search for missing US World War 2 submarines led by project lead and Tiburon Subsea CEO, ocean explorer and entrepreneur Tim Taylor.

‘Excellent State of Preservation’

"Using data collected and provided by Tim Taylor, CEO of Tiburon Subsea and the Lost 52 Project, NHHC’s Underwater Archaeology Branch confirmed the wreck site they discovered as the final resting place of USS Harder (SS 257)," said the US Navy in a news release.

In an image released by the Navy, USS Harder could be seen standing eerily upright, "relatively intact except for the depth-charge damage aft of the conning tower." Its "excellent state of preservation" and quality of data gathered by Lost 52 led to the confirmation of the discovery.

"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," Cox added.

Harder’s Philippine Exploits

USS Harder has been known for its legendary missions in the Philippines, as US Forces battled the Japanese. Commissioned in December 2, 1942, the ship’s fifth war deployment was credited for winning battles that eventually led to Japan’s defeat in 1945.

Japan had invaded the Philippines on December 8, 1941, just hours after attacking the Pearl Harbor, a US base in Hawaii. That time, the Philippines was a Commonwealth of the US, which earlier occupied the country after Spain ceded its long-time colony to the Americans via the Treaty of Paris.

During the war, Harder sank three Japanese ships and damaged two others within just four days. This disrupted battle plans of Japanese Imperial Navy Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo, forcing him "to delay his carrier force in the Philippine Sea, contributing to the defeat suffered by the Japanese in the ensuing battle," the US Navy said.

USS Harder’s last location was just off Luzon during its final war patrol on August 24, 1944. It was lost along with a crew of 79 people following a depth charge attack by a Japanese ship.

The submarine has been accorded several honors for its war exploits, including a Presidential Unit Citation. Its commander, Dealey, posthumously received the Medal of Honor for Harder’s fifth patrol, according to the US Navy.

The Navy said the wreck, protected under US Law, "should be respected by all parties as a war grave," as it "represents the final resting place" of the sailors that died in Harder’s sinking. It said activities that may disturb the ship must be coordinated with the NHHC.

Also read: Wreckage of WWII Ship Carrying 1,000 POWs Found Off the Philippine Coast