Lost at Sea
Following an engagement on March 9, Kete reported that all but three torpedoes had been expended. She was ordered to proceed to Pearl Harbor for a refit. The last communication from Kete was a weather report on 20 March. ... She was declared overdue at Pearl Harbor on April 16, 1945, and was presumed lost due to unknown causes. ... While there were known mine lines in the vicinity of the Nansei Shoto chain, she would have been clear of the mined area by 20 March as she returned to port. Three Japanese submarines were known to be operating along her presumed track, but these were later sunk by US surface units. ... It is possible that she fell victim to a submarine attack, which was unreported due to loss of the attacker.
