Benjamin Maurice Chiswell (March 7, 1875 – July 26, 1942) was a rear admiral in the United States Coast Guard who served as the first vice commandant from 1929 to 1931.

[1] Chiswell was born at Dickerson, Maryland on March 7, 1875 and entered the Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction as a cadet on April 10, 1894.

[3] While commander, Chiswell discussed the possibility of using aircraft to aid search and rescue missions with junior officers Elmer F. Stone and Norman B.

[2] During World War I, Chiswell commanded USS Algonquin based at Gibraltar, for which he was subsequently awarded the Navy Cross.

[8] In early 1933, Chiswell became head of the newly created Eastern Area comprising the Boston, New York and Norfolk Divisions.