How a 1943 “Forbidden” Command Decision Created the Perfect Destroyer Killer

Video Description

How a 1943 “Forbidden” Command Decision Created the Perfect Destroyer Killer In 1943, one U.S. submarine commander broke the rules of naval warfare — and turned his boat into the deadliest destroyer hunter of World War II. This documentary uncovers the extraordinary true story of Commander Samuel “Sam” Dealey and the radical “down the throat” attack tactic that made USS Harder (SS-257) a nightmare for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Rejecting standard U.S. Navy doctrine, Dealey launched aggressive head-on torpedo attacks against enemy destroyers, a move many considered reckless — until it worked with devastating results. Between 1943 and 1944, Dealey and his Gato-class submarine sank multiple Japanese destroyers, earning Harder a reputation as the most lethal destroyer-killer in the Pacific. During the legendary Tawi Tawi patrol, his crew destroyed five destroyers in five days, disrupting Japanese fleet movements just weeks before the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Inside this deep-dive you’ll discover: How the “down the throat” tactic defied accepted submarine doctrine Why Dealey deliberately hunted destroyers instead of merchant ships The technical capabilities of the Gato-class submarine that made these attacks possible How Ultra intelligence, aggressive command decisions, and crew discipline combined in combat The psychological duel between submarine commanders and destroyer captains Why Dealey was awarded the Medal of Honor for his leadership and audacity This documentary also covers the final patrol of USS Harder, the brutal depth-charge counterattacks she faced, and the 2024 discovery of her wreck by the Lost 52 Project, finally confirming the fate of one of the most famous boats of the Silent Service. Based on verified war patrol reports, Naval archives, Medal of Honor citations, and postwar analysis, this is the definitive account of how one commander’s forbidden tactic reshaped submarine warfare in the Pacific and helped cripple Japan’s naval defenses. 👍 If you enjoy deep WWII naval history, hit LIKE to support the channel. 🔔 Subscribe for more untold stories of submarines, commanders, and secret tactics of World War II. WW2 Storyfront is the ultimate YouTube channel dedicated to World War II (WW2 / WWII / Second World War) and its most fascinating stories, events, and battles. Dive deep into narrated videos, documentaries, and historical analyses that bring to life the greatest WW2 battles such as D-Day, the Battle of Stalingrad, Battle of Midway, Battle of the Bulge, El Alamein, Kursk, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Fall of Berlin. Explore the world of WW2 weapons, tanks, fighter planes, bombers, submarines, aircraft carriers, and groundbreaking WW2 technology. Learn about naval warfare WW2, the Pacific War, the Pacific Theater, carrier battles, submarine warfare, and iconic ships like the USS Enterprise, USS Yorktown, and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Discover stories of legendary figures like Admiral Nimitz, Yamamoto, Curtis LeMay, and John Basilone, as well as world leaders like Hitler, Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin, and Mussolini. We cover crucial topics like the Holocaust, Operation Overlord, Operation Meetinghouse, strategic bombing, kamikaze attacks, Zero fighters, B-29 Superfortress, and the final surrender of Japan. Whether you're passionate about military history, WW2 memoirs, WW2 stories, the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, Waffen SS, the Allies, or how World War II shaped the modern era, subscribe to WW2 Storyfront and experience the most comprehensive and captivating exploration of WWII history on YouTube. ⚔️ #ww2 #history #audiobooks