In 1944, the USS Harder, a US Navy submarine, sank the most Japanese warships during World War Two. After 80 years, it has been discovered in the South China Sea, 3,000ft (914m) below the surface near the Philippines’ northern island of Luzon. During one of its final war patrols, it destroyed three Japanese destroyers and severely damaged two others over four days. The discovery of this historic vessel prompted Samuel J. Cox, a retired US admiral who heads the US Navy’s History and Heritage Command, to issue a statement reminding us that victory has a price and freedom comes at a cost.
The Philippines played a crucial role in the Pacific theater of World War Two as the US sought to reclaim its former colony from Japan. Many historic battleships from the war lie in the waters in and around the archipelago. In 2015, Paul Allen discovered the wreck of another significant vessel – Musashi – one of Japan’s largest warships ever built. This year’s discovery marks another milestone for historians and enthusiasts alike as we continue to uncover more about our past.
The Lost 52 project is responsible for finding all 52 US submarines lost during World War II. Their search led them to this remarkable vessel known for its motto “Hit ’em harder.” The submarine was found upright on its keel with relatively intact features – an astonishing achievement given it had been submerged for so long without any signs of damage or deterioration.
The crew members of USS Harder were posthumously honored with various military awards including Presidential Unit Citation and Commodore Sam Dealey received the Medal of Honor – America’s highest military decoration – after his brave leadership throughout their final mission. Their heroic deeds will forever be remembered as key contributors to Allied victory against Japan during World War II.
