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This American Submarine Lost During WWII—Along With 83 Crew Members—Has Been Discovered in the Pacific Ocean
Key takeaways
- Naval History and Heritage Command In June 1944, the USS Herring was on patrol in the Pacific Ocean when Japanese troops struck and sank the submarine.
- The submarine, which still shows signs of battle damage, is submerged under more than 300 feet of water in the Kuril Islands between Japan and Russia.
- “The wreck represents the final resting place of sailors who gave their lives in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave,” according to the statement.
Naval History and Heritage Command In June 1944, the USS Herring was on patrol in the Pacific Ocean when Japanese troops struck and sank the submarine. Now, more than eight decades later, underwater archaeologists have confirmed the wreck site of the World War II-era vessel.
The submarine, which still shows signs of battle damage, is submerged under more than 300 feet of water in the Kuril Islands between Japan and Russia. It sits upright on its keel and maintains “a high degree of integrity,” according to a June 1 statement from Naval History and Heritage Command.
“The wreck represents the final resting place of sailors who gave their lives in defense of the nation and should be respected by all parties as a war grave,” according to the statement.