Roger Welles (1862-1932) was a U.S. naval officer, the first commander of USS ''Oklahoma'' and appointed the first "Navy Mayor" of San Diego.

Welles gave 33 years service to the navy in a variety of placements, eventually being promoted to Rear-Admiral. As an ensign, he was engaged in surveys in Alaska, where he made a study of native people's culture and language in his spare time.