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{{short description|United States military officer}}
{{short description|United States military officer}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name= Gustave F. Perna
| name = Gustave F. Perna
|image= Perna CG AMC 2016.jpg
| image = Perna CG AMC 2016.jpg
|image_size=
| image_size =
|alt=
| alt =
|caption= Perna in 2016
| caption = Perna in 2016
|nickname=
| nickname =
|birth_date= {{birth year and age|1960}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|4|15}}<ref name=NJHoF/>
|birth_place=
| birth_place =[[Rockaway, New Jersey]]<ref name=NJHoF/>
|death_date=
| death_date =
|death_place=
| death_place =
|placeofburial=
| placeofburial =
|allegiance= United States
| allegiance = United States
|branch= [[United States Army]]
| branch = [[United States Army]]
|serviceyears= 1981–present
| serviceyears = 1981–2021
|rank= [[General (United States)|General]]
| rank = [[General (United States)|General]]
|servicenumber=
| servicenumber =
|unit=
| unit =
|commands= {{nowrap|[[United States Army Materiel Command]]}}<br/>[[Joint Munitions Command]]<br/>[[Defense Supply Center Philadelphia]]<br/>[[4th Sustainment Brigade]]<br/>[[64th Brigade Support Battalion (United States)|64th Forward Support Battalion]]
| commands = {{nowrap|[[United States Army Materiel Command]]}}<br />[[Joint Munitions Command]]<br />[[Defense Supply Center Philadelphia]]<br />[[4th Sustainment Brigade]]<br />[[64th Brigade Support Battalion (United States)|64th Forward Support Battalion]]
|battles= [[Iraq War]]
| battles = [[Iraq War]]
|awards= [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] (4)<br/>[[Defense Superior Service Medal]] (2)<br/>[[Legion of Merit]]<br/>[[Bronze Star Medal]] (2)
| awards = [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]<br>[[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] (4)<br />[[Defense Superior Service Medal]] (2)<br />[[Legion of Merit]]<br />[[Bronze Star Medal]] (2)
|relations=
| relations =
|laterwork=
| laterwork =
}}
}}
'''Gustave F. Perna''' (born 1960) is a [[United States Army]] [[Four-star rank|four-star]] [[General (United States)|general]] who serves as the chief operating officer of the [[White House COVID-19 Response Team|federal COVID-19 response for vaccine and therapeutics]]. He previously served as the chief operating officer of [[Operation Warp Speed]] from July 2020 until to the operation's duties and responsibilities were transferred to the [[White House COVID-19 Response Team]] in February 2021. As chief operating officer of COVID-19 response, he oversees the logistics in the [[Federal government of the United States|United States federal government's]] search for a [[COVID-19 vaccine|vaccine]] to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="vaccine">{{cite web |last= Rempfer |first=Kyle |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/05/18/army-4-star-will-co-lead-manhattan-project-style-effort-to-create-and-distribute-covid-19-vaccine/ |title=Army 4-star will co-lead Manhattan Project-style effort to create and distribute COVID-19 vaccine |publisher=ArmyTimes |date=May 19, 2020 |access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> The Senate confirmed his nomination as chief operating officer on July 2, 2020,<ref name=nomination>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1972|title=PN1972 — Gen. Gustave F. Perna — Army|website=Congress.gov|access-date=2020-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Department of Defense Statement on Gen. Gustave Perna's Confirmation|url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2246610/department-of-defense-statement-on-gen-gustave-pernas-confirmation/|access-date=2020-07-03|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|language=en-US}}</ref> and he assumed the office shortly after.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thacker |first=Paul |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-sketchy-past-of-moncef-slaoui-trumps-coronavirus-vaccine-czar?source=politics&via=rss |title=The Sketchy Past of Trump’s Coronavirus Vaccine Czar |date=July 7, 2020 |access-date=July 7, 2020}}</ref>
'''Gustave F. Perna''' (born April 15, 1960)<ref name=NJHoF/> is a retired [[United States Army]] [[Four-star rank|four-star]] [[General (United States)|general]] who last served as the chief operating officer of the [[White House COVID-19 Response Team|federal COVID-19 response for vaccine and therapeutics]]. He previously served as the chief operating officer of [[Operation Warp Speed]] from July 2020 until the operation's duties and responsibilities were transferred to the [[White House COVID-19 Response Team]] in February 2021. As chief operating officer of COVID-19 response, he oversaw the logistics in the [[Federal government of the United States|United States federal government's]] distribution of the [[COVID-19 vaccine|vaccine]] to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="vaccine">{{cite web |last= Rempfer |first=Kyle |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2020/05/18/army-4-star-will-co-lead-manhattan-project-style-effort-to-create-and-distribute-covid-19-vaccine/ |title=Army 4-star will co-lead Manhattan Project-style effort to create and distribute COVID-19 vaccine |publisher=ArmyTimes |date=May 19, 2020 |access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> The Senate confirmed his nomination as chief operating officer on July 2, 2020,<ref name=nomination>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1972|title=PN1972 — Gen. Gustave F. Perna — Army|website=Congress.gov|access-date=2020-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Department of Defense Statement on Gen. Gustave Perna's Confirmation|url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2246610/department-of-defense-statement-on-gen-gustave-pernas-confirmation/|access-date=2020-07-03|website=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE|language=en-US}}</ref> and he assumed the office shortly after.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thacker |first=Paul |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-sketchy-past-of-moncef-slaoui-trumps-coronavirus-vaccine-czar?source=politics&via=rss |title=The Sketchy Past of Trump's Coronavirus Vaccine Czar |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=July 7, 2020 |access-date=July 7, 2020}}</ref>


Perna previously served as the 19th commanding general of [[United States Army Materiel Command]] from September 30, 2016 to July 2, 2020. He also served for two years as the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, overseeing policies and procedures used by all United States Army logistic personnel throughout the world. Prior to joining the Army staff he served for two years as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/4, United States Army Materiel Command.<ref name="US Army Bio">{{cite web|title=General Gustave F. Perna: Commanding General|url=http://www.amc.army.mil/Portals/9/Documents/Bios/AMC_BIO%20Perna%20OCT%202017.pdf?ver=2017-10-19-155832-190|publisher=U.S. Army Materiel Command|access-date=27 May 2018}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
Perna previously served as the 19th commanding general of [[United States Army Materiel Command]] from September 30, 2016 to July 2, 2020. He also served for two years as the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, overseeing policies and procedures used by all United States Army logistic personnel throughout the world. Prior to joining the Army staff he served for two years as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/4, United States Army Materiel Command.<ref name="US Army Bio">{{cite web|title=General Gustave F. Perna: Commanding General|url=http://www.amc.army.mil/Portals/9/Documents/Bios/AMC_BIO%20Perna%20OCT%202017.pdf?ver=2017-10-19-155832-190|publisher=U.S. Army Materiel Command|access-date=27 May 2018|archive-date=2017-12-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033302/http://www.amc.army.mil/Portals/9/Documents/Bios/AMC_BIO%20Perna%20OCT%202017.pdf?ver=2017-10-19-155832-190|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

Perna retired from the Army on July 2, 2021 after over 40 years of service.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Riley Griffin|author2=Josh Wingrove|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-28/perna-retiring-from-covid-task-force-as-u-s-response-shifts|title=Perna Retiring From Covid Task Force as U.S. Response Shifts|date=2021-06-29|website=Bloomberg News}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Perna is a New Jersey native who attended [[Morris Hills High School]], before graduating from [[Valley Forge Military Academy and College]] with an associate degree in business administration. Graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, infantry officer in 1981 via the [[Early Commissioning Program]] from Valley Forge.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Valley Forge Military Academy & College|url=https://www.facebook.com/VFMAC/posts/10152274653077259|access-date=2020-12-21|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|quote=VFMC Class of 1981 alumni, U.S. Army Major Gen. Gustave F. Perna has been nominated by President Barack Obama for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general.}}</ref> He earned a bachelor's degree in business management from the [[University of Maryland]] and a master's degree in logistics management from the [[Florida Institute of Technology]] (1992). His military education includes: Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, Logistics Executive Development Course, Support Operations Course, Command and General Staff College and Senior Service College.<ref name="US Army Bio"/>
Born in [[Rockaway, New Jersey]], Perna is a New Jersey native who attended [[Morris Hills High School]], before graduating from [[Valley Forge Military Academy and College]] with an associate degree in business administration.<ref name=NJHoF>[https://njhalloffame.org/gustave-f-perna/ Gen. Gustave F. Perna], [[New Jersey Hall of Fame]]. Accessed May 11, 2023. "Born: April 15, 1960, in Rockaway, New Jersey"</ref> Graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, infantry officer in 1981 via the [[Early Commissioning Program]] from Valley Forge.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Valley Forge Military Academy & College|url=https://www.facebook.com/VFMAC/posts/10152274653077259|access-date=2020-12-21|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|quote=VFMC Class of 1981 alumni, U.S. Army Major Gen. Gustave F. Perna has been nominated by President Barack Obama for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general.}}</ref> He earned a bachelor's degree in business management from the [[University of Maryland]] and a master's degree in logistics management from the [[Florida Institute of Technology]] (1992). His military education includes: Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, Logistics Executive Development Course, Support Operations Course, Command and General Staff College and Senior Service College.<ref name="US Army Bio"/>


==Military career==
==Military career==
Perna's command assignments include:
Perna's command assignments include:

* Commander, [[Joint Munitions Command]] and Joint Munitions and Lethality Lifecycle Management Command, responsible for the lifecycle management of $40 billion of conventional ammunition
* Commander, [[Joint Munitions Command]] and Joint Munitions and Lethality Lifecycle Management Command, responsible for the lifecycle management of $40 billion of conventional ammunition
* Commander, [[Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot|Defense Supply Center Philadelphia]], [[Defense Logistics Agency|Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)]], responsible for the procurement of more than $14.5 billion worth of food, clothing, textiles, medicines, medical supplies, construction and equipment items for America's Warfighters and other customers worldwide
* Commander, [[Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot|Defense Supply Center Philadelphia]], [[Defense Logistics Agency]], responsible for the procurement of more than $14.5 billion worth of food, clothing, textiles, medicines, medical supplies, construction and equipment items for America's Warfighters and other customers worldwide
* Commander, [[4th Sustainment Brigade]], where he deployed the brigade to combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07
* Commander, [[4th Sustainment Brigade]], where he deployed the brigade to combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07
* Commander, 64th [[Forward support battalion|Forward Support Battalion]], 3rd Brigade, [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]], Fort Carson, Colorado, where he deployed the battalion to combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom I;
* Commander, 64th [[Forward support battalion|Forward Support Battalion]], 3rd Brigade, [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]], Fort Carson, Colorado, where he deployed the battalion to combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom I;
* Deputy Commanding Officer, [[64th Corps Support Group]], [[13th Corps Support Command|13th Corps Support Command (COSCOM)]], Fort Hood, Texas
* Deputy Commanding Officer, [[64th Corps Support Group]], [[13th Corps Support Command|13th Corps Support Command (COSCOM)]], Fort Hood, Texas
* Commander, B Company, 143rd Ordnance Battalion, [[Aberdeen Proving Ground]], Maryland<ref name="US Army Bio"/>
* Commander, B Company, 143rd Ordnance Battalion, [[Aberdeen Proving Ground]], Maryland<ref name="US Army Bio"/>


Perna's staff assignments include:
Perna's staff assignments include:

* Director of Logistics, J4, U.S. Forces-Iraq, responsible for sustainment plans and policies for strategic and operational logistics to sustain coalition and joint forces
* Director of Logistics, J4, U.S. Forces-Iraq, responsible for sustainment plans and policies for strategic and operational logistics to sustain coalition and joint forces
* Executive Officer to the Director of the DLA, supporting the Director's mission of providing Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and other federal agencies with logistics, acquisitions and technical services support
* Executive Officer to the Director of the DLA, supporting the Director's mission of providing Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and other federal agencies with logistics, acquisitions and technical services support
* [[Ordnance Corps (United States Army)|Ordnance Branch]] Chief, Human Resources Command
* [[United States Army Ordnance Corps|Ordnance Branch]] Chief, Human Resources Command
* Division Support Command (DISCOM) Executive Officer and G4, [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)|1st Cavalry Division]], where he deployed to Bosnia
* Division Support Command (DISCOM) Executive Officer and G4, [[1st Cavalry Division (United States)|1st Cavalry Division]], where he deployed to Bosnia
* 544th Maintenance Battalion Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer, 13th COSCOM
* 544th Maintenance Battalion Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer, 13th COSCOM
* G4 Maintenance Officer, 13th COSCOM, where he deployed to Somalia as a member of Joint Task Force Support Command<ref name="US Army Bio"/>
* G4 Maintenance Officer, 13th COSCOM, where he deployed to Somalia as a member of Joint Task Force Support Command<ref name="US Army Bio"/>


Perna's nomination for promotion to commanding [[general (United States)|general]] of the [[United States Army Materiel Command|United States Army Materiel Command (AMC)]] was confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] on September 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/114th-congress/1668|title=PN1668 – Lt. Gen. Gustave F. Perna – Army|website=U.S. Congress|access-date=2016-09-17}}</ref> He assumed command on September 30, 2016.<ref name="US Army Bio"/> In March 2020, his deputy Lieutenant General [[Edward M. Daly]] was confirmed as his successor at AMC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1541|title=PN1541 — Lt. Gen. Edward M. Daly — Army|website=U.S. Congress|access-date=2020-06-13}}</ref> In May 2020, Perna was named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the White House's [[Operation Warp Speed]] effort to quickly develop a [[COVID-19 vaccine]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=David|date=2020-05-15|title=Trump unveils 'warp-speed' effort to create coronavirus vaccine by year's end|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/15/trump-coronavirus-warp-speed-vaccine-white-house|access-date=2020-05-15|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Trump launches "operation warp speed" effort to develop coronavirus vaccine by year's end|url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-launches-operation-warp-speed-effort-develop-coronavirus-vaccine-years-end-1504458|last=Crisp|first=Elizabeth|date=2020-05-15|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> In June 2020, he was nominated to continue serving as an Army general in the position of COO, and was confirmed the next month by the Senate.<ref name=nomination/>
Perna's nomination for promotion to commanding [[general (United States)|general]] of the [[United States Army Materiel Command|United States Army Materiel Command (AMC)]] was confirmed by the [[United States Senate]] on September 15, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/114th-congress/1668|title=PN1668 – Lt. Gen. Gustave F. Perna – Army|website=U.S. Congress|date=15 September 2016 |access-date=2016-09-17}}</ref> He assumed command on September 30, 2016.<ref name="US Army Bio"/> In March 2020, his deputy Lieutenant General [[Edward M. Daly]] was confirmed as his successor at AMC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/1541|title=PN1541 — Lt. Gen. Edward M. Daly — Army|website=U.S. Congress|date=20 March 2020 |access-date=2020-06-13}}</ref> In May 2020, Perna was named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the White House's [[Operation Warp Speed]] effort to quickly develop a [[COVID-19 vaccine]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Smith|first=David|date=2020-05-15|title=Trump unveils 'warp-speed' effort to create coronavirus vaccine by year's end|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/15/trump-coronavirus-warp-speed-vaccine-white-house|access-date=2020-05-15|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Trump launches "operation warp speed" effort to develop coronavirus vaccine by year's end|url=https://www.newsweek.com/trump-launches-operation-warp-speed-effort-develop-coronavirus-vaccine-years-end-1504458|last=Crisp|first=Elizabeth|date=2020-05-15|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref> In June 2020, he was nominated to continue serving as an Army general in the position of COO, and was confirmed the next month by the Senate.<ref name=nomination/>
== After retirement ==
According to Politico's "National Security Daily" newsletter of 27 October 2022, "Retired Gen. GUSTAVE PERNA will serve as chief operating officer of DEFCON AI, a startup that will bring artificial intelligence to defense logistics."{{fact|date=November 2022}}


==Awards and decorations==
==Awards and decorations==
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|[[File:4th Infantry Division CSIB2.svg|90px]] [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]] [[Combat Service Identification Badge]]
|[[File:4th Infantry Division CSIB2.svg|90px]] [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]] [[Combat Service Identification Badge]]
|-
|-
|[[File:Ordnance Corps Regimental Insignia.gif|50px]] [[Ordnance Corps (United States Army)|Army Ordnance Corps]] [[Distinctive Unit Insignia]]
|[[File:Ordnance Corps Regimental Insignia.gif|50px]] Army Ordnance Corps [[Distinctive Unit Insignia]]
|-
|-
|[[File:ArmyOSB.svg|50px]] 5 [[Overseas Service Bar]]s
|[[File:ArmyOSB.svg|50px]] 5 [[Overseas Service Bar]]s
|}
|}
{|
{|
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}<span style="position:relative; top:0; left:-48px; display:inline-block; width:0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top:0; left:-36px; display:inline-block; width:0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top:0; left:-24px; display:inline-block; width:0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]]</span> [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]] with three bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]s
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]]
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}<span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -49px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -38px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]]</span><span style="position:relative; top: 0px; left: -27px; display: inline-block; width: 0;">[[File:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg|14px]]</span> [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]] with three bronze [[oak leaf cluster]]s
|-
|-
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} [[Defense Superior Service Medal]] with oak leaf cluster
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} [[Defense Superior Service Medal]] with oak leaf cluster
Line 120: Line 124:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.amc.army.mil/Organization/Leadership/ Gustave F. Perna] at [[United States Army Materiel Command|U.S. Army Materiel Command]]
* [https://www.amc.army.mil/Organization/History/Former-Commanders/ Gustave F. Perna] at [[United States Army Materiel Command|U.S. Army Materiel Command]]
* {{C-SPAN|126513}}


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
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{{s-ttl|title=Commander of [[United States Army Materiel Command]]|years=2016–2020}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander of [[United States Army Materiel Command]]|years=2016–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Edward M. Daly]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Edward M. Daly]]}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chief Operating Officer, [[Operation Warp Speed]]|years=2020-2021}}
{{s-non|reason=Office abolished}}
{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chief Operating Officer, [[White House COVID-19 Response Team|COVID-19 Response for Vaccine and Therapeutics]]|years=2021}}
{{s-non|reason=Office abolished}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Perna, Gustave}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Perna, Gustave}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:Florida Institute of Technology alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:U.S. federal government response to the COVID-19 pandemic]]
⚫
[[Category:Florida Institute of Technology alumni]]
[[Category:Military personnel from New Jersey]]
[[Category:Morris Hills High School alumni]]
[[Category:People from Rockaway, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]

Latest revision as of 17:42, 30 June 2024

Gustave F. Perna
Perna in 2016
Born (1960-04-15) April 15, 1960 (age 64)[1]
Rockaway, New Jersey[1]
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1981–2021
RankGeneral
CommandsUnited States Army Materiel Command
Joint Munitions Command
Defense Supply Center Philadelphia
4th Sustainment Brigade
64th Forward Support Battalion
Battles / warsIraq War
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal (4)
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (2)

Gustave F. Perna (born April 15, 1960)[1] is a retired United States Army four-star general who last served as the chief operating officer of the federal COVID-19 response for vaccine and therapeutics. He previously served as the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed from July 2020 until the operation's duties and responsibilities were transferred to the White House COVID-19 Response Team in February 2021. As chief operating officer of COVID-19 response, he oversaw the logistics in the United States federal government's distribution of the vaccine to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The Senate confirmed his nomination as chief operating officer on July 2, 2020,[3][4] and he assumed the office shortly after.[5]

Perna previously served as the 19th commanding general of United States Army Materiel Command from September 30, 2016 to July 2, 2020. He also served for two years as the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, overseeing policies and procedures used by all United States Army logistic personnel throughout the world. Prior to joining the Army staff he served for two years as Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/4, United States Army Materiel Command.[6]

Perna retired from the Army on July 2, 2021 after over 40 years of service.[7]

Early life and education

[edit]

Born in Rockaway, New Jersey, Perna is a New Jersey native who attended Morris Hills High School, before graduating from Valley Forge Military Academy and College with an associate degree in business administration.[1] Graduating as a Distinguished Military Graduate, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, infantry officer in 1981 via the Early Commissioning Program from Valley Forge.[8] He earned a bachelor's degree in business management from the University of Maryland and a master's degree in logistics management from the Florida Institute of Technology (1992). His military education includes: Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ordnance Officer Advanced Course, Logistics Executive Development Course, Support Operations Course, Command and General Staff College and Senior Service College.[6]

Military career

[edit]

Perna's command assignments include:

Perna's staff assignments include:

  • Director of Logistics, J4, U.S. Forces-Iraq, responsible for sustainment plans and policies for strategic and operational logistics to sustain coalition and joint forces
  • Executive Officer to the Director of the DLA, supporting the Director's mission of providing Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and other federal agencies with logistics, acquisitions and technical services support
  • Ordnance Branch Chief, Human Resources Command
  • Division Support Command (DISCOM) Executive Officer and G4, 1st Cavalry Division, where he deployed to Bosnia
  • 544th Maintenance Battalion Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer, 13th COSCOM
  • G4 Maintenance Officer, 13th COSCOM, where he deployed to Somalia as a member of Joint Task Force Support Command[6]

Perna's nomination for promotion to commanding general of the United States Army Materiel Command (AMC) was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 15, 2016.[9] He assumed command on September 30, 2016.[6] In March 2020, his deputy Lieutenant General Edward M. Daly was confirmed as his successor at AMC.[10] In May 2020, Perna was named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the White House's Operation Warp Speed effort to quickly develop a COVID-19 vaccine.[11][12] In June 2020, he was nominated to continue serving as an Army general in the position of COO, and was confirmed the next month by the Senate.[3]

After retirement

[edit]

According to Politico's "National Security Daily" newsletter of 27 October 2022, "Retired Gen. GUSTAVE PERNA will serve as chief operating officer of DEFCON AI, a startup that will bring artificial intelligence to defense logistics."[citation needed]

Awards and decorations

[edit]

Perna's military awards include:[13]

Basic Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
4th Infantry Division Combat Service Identification Badge
Army Ordnance Corps Distinctive Unit Insignia
5 Overseas Service Bars
Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Army Distinguished Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 scarlet ribbon with width-4 ultramarine blue stripe at center, surrounded by width-1 white stripes. Width-1 white stripes are at the edges.
Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Superior Unit Award
Bronze star
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4
United Nations Medal (for UNOSOM mission in Somalia)
NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Gen. Gustave F. Perna, New Jersey Hall of Fame. Accessed May 11, 2023. "Born: April 15, 1960, in Rockaway, New Jersey"
  2. ^ Rempfer, Kyle (May 19, 2020). "Army 4-star will co-lead Manhattan Project-style effort to create and distribute COVID-19 vaccine". ArmyTimes. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "PN1972 — Gen. Gustave F. Perna — Army". Congress.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  4. ^ "Department of Defense Statement on Gen. Gustave Perna's Confirmation". U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. Retrieved 2020-07-03.
  5. ^ Thacker, Paul (July 7, 2020). "The Sketchy Past of Trump's Coronavirus Vaccine Czar". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e "General Gustave F. Perna: Commanding General" (PDF). U.S. Army Materiel Command. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-01. Retrieved 27 May 2018. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  7. ^ Riley Griffin; Josh Wingrove (2021-06-29). "Perna Retiring From Covid Task Force as U.S. Response Shifts". Bloomberg News.
  8. ^ "Valley Forge Military Academy & College". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2020-12-21. VFMC Class of 1981 alumni, U.S. Army Major Gen. Gustave F. Perna has been nominated by President Barack Obama for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general.
  9. ^ "PN1668 – Lt. Gen. Gustave F. Perna – Army". U.S. Congress. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  10. ^ "PN1541 — Lt. Gen. Edward M. Daly — Army". U.S. Congress. 20 March 2020. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
  11. ^ Smith, David (2020-05-15). "Trump unveils 'warp-speed' effort to create coronavirus vaccine by year's end". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  12. ^ Crisp, Elizabeth (2020-05-15). "Trump launches "operation warp speed" effort to develop coronavirus vaccine by year's end". Newsweek. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  13. ^ "Lieutenant General Gustave F. Perna, U.S. Army, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4" (PDF). Army.mil. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gustave F. Perna.
Military offices
Preceded by Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics of United States Army
2014–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of United States Army Materiel Command
2016–2020 		Succeeded by
New title Chief Operating Officer, Operation Warp Speed
2020-2021 		Office abolished
New title Chief Operating Officer, COVID-19 Response for Vaccine and Therapeutics
2021 		Office abolished
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