The 2024 Discovery of the USS Harder

The 2024 Discovery of the USS Harder


June 6, 2025 | Allison Robertson

The 2024 Discovery of the USS Harder


WWII’s Most Famous Submarine Has Finally Been Found

For nearly 80 years, the final resting place of the famous USS Harder, a Gato-class WWII submarine, and her 70 sailors has been a mystery.

She was sunk by the Japanese on August 24, 1944, with a last known location as somewhere in the South China Sea.

Due to a vast and unforgiving sea, and a lack of technology at the time, locating the wreckage was believed to be impossible. But on May 22, 2024, eight decades later, a group of underwater archeologists finally did the impossible—and it was more incredible than anyone could have imagined. 

She Was A Force To Be Reckoned With

The USS Harder (SS-257) was a Gato-class submarine that served in WWII. In fact, she didn’t just serve, she was actually one of the most famous submarines of WWII, receiving the Presidential Unit Citation.

And her commanding officer was just as noteworthy.

File:0825721 Harder.jpgUS Navy photo # MI-1148-44, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Her Skipper Was Legendary

Commander Samuel D Dealey is among the most decorated for valor during war, receiving the Medal of Honor, the Navy Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, and the Silver Star for his service on the USS Harder. 

Dealey was with Harder from her inception to her tragic end.

File:CDR Samuel D. Dealey 50510t.jpgUS Naval History & Heritage Command, Wikimedia Commons

She Only Knew Success

Harder was commissioned on December 2, 1942 and served on six patrols during WWII—all of which were designated successful, earning her six battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation for her service.

While all six patrols were effective, her fifth patrol was the most legendary.

File:USS Harder (SS-257) rescueing pilot at Woleai 1944.jpgAir Group Commander Andrew Jackson, U.S. Navy, Wikimedia Commons

She Was Sly

Harder and her crew had a knack for sinking unsuspecting enemy ships and sneaking past escort ships undetected. She managed to evade enemy depth charge attacks, sinking to incredible depths—that sometimes drained her batteries to dangerous levels.

But her most impressive feat happened after she joined the all-out hunt against Japanese destroyers—once considered the most dangerous of foes.

File:USS Harder (SS-257) underway in the Pacific Ocean, circa 1 April 1944 (NNAM.2007.084.001.167).jpgCobatfor, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

Four Days Of Utter Destruction

In March of 1944, Commander Dealey set off on Harder’s fifth patrol—and he went all in. Within only four days, the USS Harder sank three Japanese destroyers and heavily damaged two others. 

This patrol is considered one of the most successful and brilliant of the entire war as it significantly impacted Japanese battle plans, delaying their carrier force.

This incredible feat earned Harder a rather catchy nickname, too.

File:Hit 'em harder.jpgUSN photo, Wikimedia Commons

She Was Known To Wreak Havoc

During all six patrols, Harder sank a total of six Japanese destroyers—the most warships ever sunk by a US submarine in history. In addition, she sank two frigates and 20.5 tankers. With a number of incredible achievements under her belt, the USS Harder became famously known as “Hit ‘Em Harder”.

After her aggressive daring exploits wreaked havoc among Japanese shipping, Harder took a short break before embarking on her sixth—and final—patrol.

File:Japanese destroyer Tanikaze at anchor in April 1941.jpgShizuo Fukui, Wikimedia Commons

The Battle Of Dasol Bay

In August 1944, Harder joined a few other US submarines in the Battle of Dasol Bay. At one point, it was Harder and another sub called Hake. When Hake turned to avoid an approaching Japanese destroyer, she went deep and into stealth mode. Unfortunately, Harder wasn’t quick enough.

While down in the dark depths of the ocean, Hake’s crew heard something that will haunt them forever.

File:USS Hake;0825611.jpgUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

They Lost Connection

At 07:28, Hake’s crew heard 15 rapid depth charges explode in the distance astern. Afterward, the USS Harder was lost. Hake had no choice but to continue on, evading further attack, but returned to the area later to scope things out.

File:Luzon Island, PH, Sentinel-2.jpgSentinel-2 cloudless 2016 by EOX IT Services GmbH is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License., Wikimedia Commons

There Was No Sight Of Harder

After sweeping the area at periscope depth, Hake’s crew found only a ring of marker buoys covering a radius of one half-mile. The Japanese went on to report that the attack resulted in “much oil, wood chips, and cork” floating in the vicinity.

The forceful depth charge attack had sunk Harder with all hands, never to be seen again. Well, until now.

File:Harder in the Mare Island.jpgUSN photo # 919-44, Wikimedia Commons

Eight Decades Later…

The Lost 52 Project is a private organization that does research specifically on the 52 US Navy submarines lost on patrol during WWII. On May 22, 2024, founder Tim Taylor announced that after decades of treacherous searching for the USS Harder, they finally found something.

Tim TaylorUSS Grayback discovered 75 years later, ABC News

Advertisement

Thanks To Modern Technology

After carefully studying historical records to pinpoint possible locations, the Lost 52 Project located the USS Harder off the northern Philippine Island of Luzon. They then used a combination of impressive modern technology to piece together the puzzle, including sonar detection, deep-water autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and advanced 4D photogrammetry.

File:ROV Hercules 2005.JPGBrennanphillips at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons

Into The Deep

Once found, they stitched together images to create a multi-dimensional model that can be used to further study and explore the site—considering it was thousands of feet down into the dark, unforgiving sea.

But when they found the USS Harder, they found something incredible.

File:Harder and Seagull.jpgCdr Andrew Jackson/ US Navy, Wikimedia Commons

An Incredible Find

At over 3,000 feet deep, the USS Harder was found in remarkable condition, sitting upright with its keel “relatively intact”. According to the Navy, the only significant damage was to the hull behind the conning tower.

Once an integral part of the US Navy’s submarine force, she now sits at the bottom of the ocean—with a different, but equally as important job.

File:US Navy Naval History and Heritage Command logo 2014.pngU.S. Navy photo illustration/Released, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

The Final Resting Place

The wreck of USS Harder has now been designated a war grave. It is a sacred site that will be extensively protected as it is also the final resting place for the 79 incredibly brave sailors who fought tirelessly with her throughout her WWII career.

File:Mar de China Meridional - BM WMS 2004.jpgSerg!o, Wikimedia Commons

Forever Thankful

The US Navy has expressed their eternal gratitude to the Lost 52 Project for their incredibly hard work leading to the once-impossible discovery. So far, the Lost 52 Project has discovered seven US Navy submarines—with Harder being one of the most significant.

File:US Navy 071117-N-0773H-016 The United States Navy Band.jpgU.S. Navy Photo by Chief Musician Stephen Hassay, Wikimedia Commons

She Is Remembered

Retired US Navy Admiral Samuel J Cox said it perfectly, “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, Commander Sam Dealey”.

File:SECNAV Celebrates Navy's 246th Birthday 211013-N-OL781-1036.jpgU.S. Navy, Wikimedia Commons

You May Also Like:

The Discovery Of The Antikythera Shipwreck
The U.S. Navy Has Finally Uncovered One Of Their Most Tragic Warships: The USS Ommaney Bay
The Discovery Of A Sunken Japanese "Hell Ship"

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4


READ MORE

Inside Egypt's Lost Golden City: The Dazzling Aten

The discovery of Egypt’s lost golden city, “the Dazzling Aten,” led researchers to many strange artifacts—but few were as mind-boggling as the gold-covered mummified fish.
June 24, 2025 M. Clarke

Unraveling The Mysteries Of Göbekli Tepe, A Pre-Pottery Neolithic Treasure Trove

The mysterious pillars at Göbekli Tepe are incredible examples of Pre-Pottery Neolithic architecture—but historians think their engravings served a more chilling purpose than just decoration.
June 24, 2025 M. Clarke
Dangerous Beaches

17 Of The World's Most Dangerous Beaches

Beaches are some of the most popular tourist destinations for a reason. After all, it? there anything better than a day at the beach? Unfortunately, these beaches contain hidden dangers.
June 25, 2025 Sammy Tran
The abandoned and spooky remnants of the Kennecott Copper processing mill building at the former Kennecott Copper mine in Alaska.

Amazing Abandoned Places In Every US State

From derelict amusement parks to former mental hospitals with dark backstories, these are the most interesting abandoned places in every state.
June 24, 2025 Samantha Henman
Surrealplaces Internal

Surreal Places In The USA You Won't Believe Actually Exist

When we get feelings of wanderlust, it's easy for us to choose destinations that are outside of our home country. Some travelers hold the assumption that excitement and wonder can only be found one's beyond national borders; however, this is not the case at all. Take the United States, for example—there is so much to be explored in every state, and this article is proof of that. Discover these incredibly surreal places in America.
June 24, 2025 Eul Basa
national park lodges

The Most Beautiful National Park Lodges In America

Embark on a journey through nature's grandeur with our guide to the most stunning national park lodges. From majestic mountain retreats to tranquil forest hideaways, explore the allure of these picturesque getaways. Discover iconic lodges nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes, offering unparalleled beauty and rustic charm
June 24, 2025 Sammy Tran