The wreckage of the USS Harder, a legendary US Navy submarine, has been found in the South China Sea after 80 years. The submarine disappeared on August 24, 1944, while on its fifth war patrol with 79 sailors on board. The USS Harder was known for its impact on World War II naval warfare and sunk the most Japanese warships under the command of Cmdr. Sam Dealey.
The wreckage of the USS Harder lies at a depth exceeding 3,000 feet and is relatively intact apart from depth-charge damage. The search for this vessel involved historical research and the deployment of multiple autonomous robots to cover expansive search areas efficiently. Commissioned in December 1942, the USS Harder completed six war patrols before its demise during a depth charge attack on August 24, 1944.
After its service in World War II, the USS Harder received the Presidential Unit Citation and six battle stars. The discovery of its wreck after eight decades has allowed for the valor of its crew to be remembered and honored once again through this remarkable achievement by Tim Taylor, CEO of Tiburon Subsea and the Lost 52 Project with help from Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC).
