Legendary US World War II Submarine Located Off Coast of Philippines

The wreck of the USS Harder, a legendary World War II submarine, has been located off the coast of the northern Philippine island of Luzon in the South China Sea, the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) said in a press release on May 23.

A 4D photogrammetry model of the Harder was created using data collected and provided by Tim Taylor, CEO of Tiburon Subsea and the Lost 52 Project. The submarine is resting at a depth of more than 3,000 feet and is relatively intact, according to the NHHC.

The NHHC said the vessel was lost at sea on August 24, 1944, with 79 souls aboard.

The Harder set a war record for submarines by sinking five Japanese destroyers in five days, according to the USS Harder Memorial.

“Harder was lost in the course of victory. We must not forget that victory has a price, as does freedom,” NHHC Director Samuel J Cox said in a press release. “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 … in particularly audacious attacks – under her legendary skipper, Commander Sam Dealey.”

The Lost 52 Project is a “long-term exploration and underwater archeological project that is documenting and preserving the story” of the US’s 52 lost WWII submarines, according to its website. Credit: Tim Taylor and the Lost 52 Project via Storyful