In the South China Sea, the remains of a legendary US Navy submarine have been discovered. The USS Harder, which famously sunk the most Japanese warships during World War Two, was found 3,000 feet below water off the coast of Luzon in the Philippines.
The USS Harder was lost on August 29, 1944, along with its crew of 79 men. It had an impressive track record of sinking three Japanese destroyers and heavily damaging two others in just four days during one of its final war patrols. This feat led to significant changes in Japan’s battle plans and delayed their carrier force, ultimately contributing to their defeat.
The discovery of the USS Harder is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for victory and freedom. The Philippines played a crucial role in the Pacific battlegrounds of World War Two as the US fought to reclaim its former colony from Japan’s imperial army. The waters surrounding this archipelago hold numerous reminders of historic battleships from that era.
The Lost 52 Project, a group dedicated to finding America’s missing submarines from World War II, located this remarkable vessel. It was found upright on its keel and relatively intact before being awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its bravery during wartime. Its fearless captain, Commodore Sam Dealey, posthumously received America’s highest military decoration – the Medal of Honor – for his leadership throughout history’s most tumultuous times.