Death at a Distance: The Loss of the Legendary USS Harder

by Michael Sturma

Only seven U.S. submariners earned the Medal of Honor in World War II. Sam Dealey, the USS Harder 's commander, was one of them. His honor was awarded posthumously after the entire crew was lost off Bataan during a depth-charge attack in August 1944 by a Japanese convoy. The Harder 's fighting spirit is legendary, and its record of sinking a total of eighteen enemy ships (with a tonnage in excess of 55,000) made Dealey one of the top five submarine skippers in the war. During a single patrol his crew sank five enemy destroyers in five short-range torpedo attacks - an unprecedented feat. In addition, the Harder played important roles in rescue missions, extracting secret operatives deep in enemy territory and saving downed pilots. Drawing on previously untapped sources, Michael Sturma, an Australian teaching at Murdoch University, details several daring missions, one that involved the heroic Australian commando Bill Jinkins, and puts the Harder 's action in the context of the overall Pacific campaign. In do so, the author adds not only significant information to the Harder's story but also provides a fresh perspective on the submarine war.

246 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2006

Reviews

[Jim D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb story of the submarine USS Harder and its operations and subsequent loss in WWII.
The author is a noted Australian historian and brings to light the incredible contributions of US submarines operating out of Perth, Western Australia. This is the second book I have read by this author and I can unequivocally state they are among the best submarine books I have read.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samuel Dealey was known as the Destroyer Killer and was one of the best known WWII American submarine captains. His story is interesting and still controversial today. What makes him controversial is not him but rather his death. Should he have been out on that last patrol? Was he fatigued? What caused the fatigue, an extra time out on patrol to give Admiral Christie combat experience, a secret trip to Pearl Harbor, the pressures of command? Perhaps it was all of the above. Dr. Sturma gives an easy to read exploration of the leading theories and while he doesn't take a stand on any particular theory he presents each with fairness.

If a reader would like other books on the sinking of the Harder they would do well with by Charles A. Lockwood. The reader must be warned that Lockwood had a deep seated competition and grudge against Admiral Ralph Christie who extended Harder's fifth patrol to go on a hunting expedition with Dealey and his crew. Lockwood had wanted to make patrols and looked at Christie's patrols as reckless at best and selfish at worst. Christie was reprimanded for his two patrols. The other book is not as well done and that is by Edwin Hoyt.