The 3,500 men must surely be a typo? Ceremony pays tribute to seven World War II submarines built at the former naval base - Vallejo Times Herald
Maybe they included all the men of all the boats that were lost Andy ! Press Release http://www.mareislandlostboats.org/Mare_Island_Lost_Boats/Home_files/WahooMemorial1pageNOBlack.pdf
I did reach that conclusion eventually, Annie (several hours later when it popped back into my head!).