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. 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. He was commissioned as a third lieutenant in the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service on April 27, 1896. On August 11, 1897 Chiswell was promoted to second lieutenant. During the Spanish–American War, he served as navigator aboard USRC Grant. Chiswell was promoted to first lieutenant on June 20, 1904 and captain on July 6, 1911. On September 20, 1913 he assumed command of USRC Onondaga which was homeported at Norfolk, Virginia. While commander, Chiswell discussed the possibility of usin