Wreck of famed WW2 sub found off Luzon

The wreckage of USS Harder (SS-257), one of the most fabled submarines of World War II, was recently found off the coast of Pangasinan.

The sunken sub was reportedly discovered last week by The Lost 52 Project, an organization currently on a mission to find and memorialize all 52 U.S. submarines lost during World War II.

The Harder is credited with sinking the most enemy warships in the conflict.

In its last action, the Harder and two other subs went against Japanese escort vessels in Dasol Bay in Pangasinan in August, 1944.

The Naval History and Heritage Command confirmed the wreck site using data collected and provided by Tim Taylor, the CEO of Tiburon Subsea and The Lost 52 Project, according to a news release on Thursday.

“Resting at a depth of more than 3,000 feet, the vessel sits upright on her keel relatively intact except for the depth-charge damage aft of the conning tower,” the Naval History and Heritage Command said in a news release.

Nicknamed “Hit ‘em HARDER,” the Gato-class sub became famous for its aggressiveness against the Imperial Japanese Navy.

The sub completed six successful patrols in just over a year before it was last seen off the coast of Luzon. On its fifth patrol, the Harder achieved its most success when it sank three Japanese destroyers and heavily damaged two others in just four days near Tawi-Tawi.

The sub’s frequent attacks resulted in the Japanese Mobile Fleet departing Tawi-Tawi a day ahead of schedule and disrupted its plans which helped in its defeat in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.  

During its last battle in Dasol Bay, the Harder was believed to have been sunk after a depth charge attack by the escort ship CD-22. 

The US Navy declared Harder lost in January, 1945. The sub had a crew of 79.

For its five war patrols that resulted in the sinking of at least 17 enemy vessels, Harder was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and six battle stars.

Harder’s captain, Samuel Dealey, received the Navy Cross four times and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Around 11 US Navy submarines are believed to have been sunk due to various causes in Philippine waters during World War II.—RF, GMA Integrated News