A US Navy submarine, the USS Harder, which famously sunk the most Japanese warships during World War Two, has been discovered in the South China Sea. The wreckage was found nearly 80 years after it was sunk by enemy forces at a depth of 3,000 feet off the Philippines’ northern island of Luzon. During one of its final war patrols, the Harder sank three Japanese destroyers and heavily damaged two others over a span of four days, influencing the Japanese to alter their battle plans and delay their carrier force.
The discovery of the USS Harder has brought attention to the region’s waters, which continue to hold the remains of renowned battleships from that era. Samuel J. Cox, a retired US admiral who heads the Navy’s History and Heritage Command (NHHC), remarked that “Harder was lost in the course of victory. We must not forget that victory has a price as does freedom.” The Philippines played a significant role as a battleground during World War Two as the US aimed to reclaim its former colony from Japan.
The USS Harder was found by the Lost 52 project, dedicated to finding all 52 US submarines lost during World War Two. The submarine was found in an upright position on its keel with much of its structure intact. Commodore Sam Dealey, who led his crew into battle until his death, was posthumously bestowed with America’s highest military decoration – The Medal of Honor for his exceptional heroism during World War II. In addition to being recognized for their bravery, many members of Dealey’s crew were awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses for their roles in sinking several Japanese ships in those same battles where they perished.
