KURIL ISLANDS — The United States Naval History and Heritage Command's Underwater Archaeology Branch confirmed the final resting place of the USS Herring in early June 2026, 82 years after the submarine was lost during World War II. The USS Herring and its 83 crew were presumed lost after failing to report to Midway on July 13, 1944.

A joint expedition discovered a submarine wreckage in 2017, led by the Russian Geographic Society and the Russian Military in the area where the USS Herring was lost. A subsequent expedition returned to the wreck in 2022 to document the site. Two US volunteer researchers and one Japanese researcher analyzed data provided by the Russian Geographic Society to confirm the wreckage belonged to the USS Herring.

The USS Herring was launched on January 15, 1942, at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, and commissioned on May 4, 1942. The submarine completed eight war patrols during World War II and is credited with sinking seven enemy ships. The USS Herring was one of five submarines sent to the Mediterranean ahead of Operation Torch and sank the Vichy French cargo ship Ville du Havre on November 8, 1942, while stationed off Casablanca. Its second war patrol began on December 16, 1942.

During its third war patrol, the USS Herring sank the Nazi submarine U-163. The submarine did not sink any ships during its fourth and fifth war patrols. The USS Herring joined efforts in the Pacific arena on November 15, 1943, following training at Pearl Harbor. The vessel sank the Japanese cargo ships Hakozaki Maru and Nagoya Maru during its sixth war patrol. During its seventh patrol, the USS Herring detected an aircraft carrier but fled before attacking.

The submarine USS Barb last saw the USS Herring on May 31, 1944, off the Kuril Islands. The USS Herring attacked and sank the Japanese merchant ships Hiburi Maru and Iwaki Maru on June 1, 1944, off Matsuwa Island. The crew of the USS Barb recorded the sound of depth charges exploding in the distance on June 1, 1944. Japanese shore batteries reported sighting and firing at a grounded submarine near the site of the sunken merchant ships, with records indicating the submarine struck by Japanese fire suffered two direct hits to its conning tower. The USS Herring was stricken from the Navy Register on November 13, 1944.

The USS Herring wreckage sits upright on its keel at a depth of over 300 feet. The Naval History and Heritage Command stated the wreckage maintains a "high degree of integrity." Evidence of grounding and hits to the conning tower are visible on the wreckage. Samuel J. Cox, NHHC Director, said, "Herring's discovery is a powerful reminder that we have an obligation to the sailors and Marines who gave their lives in service to our nation. It is also a testament to the value of international collaboration in uncovering and preserving the truth of our shared history."

The Naval History and Heritage Command stated 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. The USS Herring was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two battle stars, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.