Arriving at Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone, on 13 July 1942, the destroyer Lansdowne was sent to a position where PC-458 had located an enemy submarine. Upon arrival, Lansdowne launched a depth charge attack. Large quantities of oil rose to the surface, and the forward motion of the submarine ceased. Postwar records established that U-153 was sunk by these attacks.

Axel Niestlé made a reassessment in October 2013:
Following his objections, U 153 was sunk 6 July 1942 in the Caribbean Sea north-west of Aruba, in position 12.50N, 72.20W, by depth charges from a US A-20A Havoc aircraft (59th BS USAAF/40-106). 52 dead (all hands lost). The depth charge attack made by USS Lansdowne near Colon, Panama, in position 09°46'N, 81°29'W and earlier credited with sinking the German U-boat U-153, seems to have been carried out against a non-sub target.