Hi Randy,
the Pompano entry does not state with any certainty that she was lost on 17 September. It merely states the Japanese believed a submarine was sunk in their attacks that date.

There are, however, factors which undermine the Japanese claim: on 25/9 the freighter Taiko maru was sunk in the Sea of Japan, west of Tsugaru kaikyo. This would indicate Pompano was still active on this date. There is also the distinct possibility that Taiko was sunk by Wahoo, which also failed to return from patrol, therefore we will likely never know exactly Pompano's date of loss. Wahoo's wreck has been recently located, therefore we know her exact loss date and place, but this does not help in determining what happened to Pompano.

Regards, BrianV,
crewmember.