Benjamin Dutton Jr., (April 3, 1883 – November 30, 1937) was a United States Navy captain, expert navigator, and author.
He was transferred to USS Machias (PG-5) in 1915 and served as her executive officer and navigator until he was again assigned to the Naval Academy for duty until 1916.
[1] He commanded USS Nokomis (SP-609), engaged in surveying the northern coast of Cuba, and was a member of the staff of the Naval War College after completing the Senior Course.
He became naval attaché at Berlin, Germany, in May 1935, with additional duty at Oslo, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm, Sweden; The Hague, the Netherlands; and, after 1935, at Helsingfor, Finland.
He returned to the United States in April 1937 and on 10 June of that year assumed command of USS Portland (CA-33).