Robert Edson "Dusty" Dornin (December 30, 1912, Berkeley, California – August 31, 1982[1]) was a United States Navy officer who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II as a very successful submarine commander.

Though faulty torpedoes had prevented an even higher score, Trigger concluded a very successful patrol, returning to Midway Island on September 30.

On November 1, Trigger scored hits on two freighters, one of which was seen to sink, before being forced to dive to evade depth-charge attacks by Japanese escort ships.

With initial reluctance, after nine patrols (six in Gudgeon, three in Trigger), Commander Dornin became an aide to Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Ernest King,[2][5] beginning in 1944.

Although operating in the presence of formidable concentrations of anti-submarine vessels, Commander Dornin pressed home a series of vigorous and persistent attacks which resulted in the sinking or damaging of an important amount of hostile shipping.

Despite severe countermeasures on the part of the enemy, he brought his ship through and his crew home without material damage or loss of life.

His expert seamanship and cool courage in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

TRIGGER (SS-237), on the SEVENTH War Patrol of that submarine in enemy controlled waters of the Pacific Area from 22 October 1943 to 8 December 1943.

In a daring night engagement with a large, heavily escorted enemy convoy, Commander Dornin aggressively attacked and sank several Japanese ships before anti-submarine vessels forced him to submerge.