USS Harder (SS-257), a Gato-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the harder, a fish of the mullet family found off South Africa. One of the most famous submarines of World War II, she received the Presidential Unit Citation. Her skipper throughout her service, the resolute and resourceful Commander Samuel D. Dealey (1906–1944), "a submariner's submariner", was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, as well as four Navy Crosses during his lifetime. 

Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, on 1 December 1941. She was launched on 19 August 1942 (sponsored by Miss Helen M. Shaforth, daughter of Rear Admiral John M. Shaforth), and commissioned on 2 December 1942 with Commander Dealey, (Class of 1930) in command.

USS Harder (SS-568), a Tang-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the harder, a fish of the mullet family found off South Africa.

Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, on 30 June 1950. She was launched on 3 December 1951 sponsored by Kay Logan Cole, the widow of Lieutenant S.M. Logan, executive officer of Harder (SS-257) lost during World War II. Harder was commissioned on 19 August 1952 with Commander R.B. Laning in command.