Gustave F. Perna
Gustave F. Perna (born 1960) is a United States Army four-star general who serves as the commanding general of United States Army Materiel Command. He assumed responsibilities as the 19th commanding general of Army Materiel Command, headquartered at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, on September 30, 2016. In May 2020, President Trump announced that Perna will be nomiated for appointment as chief operating officer for Project Warp Speed.[1] As chief operating officer, he serves as co-leader and oversees the logistics in the United States federal government's search of a vaccine for the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] His nomination was sent to the Senate on June 8, 2020.[2]
Gustave F. Perna | |
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 General Gustave F. Perna in 2016 | |
| Born | 1960 (age 59–60) |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1979–present |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | United States Army Materiel Command Joint Munitions Command Defense Supply Center Philadelphia 4th Sustainment Brigade 64th Forward Support Battalion |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal (2) |
Perna served for two years as the army's Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4. He oversaw policies and procedures used by all 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.[3]
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 1979 via the Early Commissioning Program from Valley Forge. 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. His military education includes: Infantry Officer Basic Course, Ordnance Officer Advance Course, Logistics Executive Development Course, Support Operations Course, Command and General Staff College and Senior Service College.[3]
Military career
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, 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 OIF 05-07
- Commander, 64th Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado, where he deployed the battalion to combat operations during OIF I;
- Deputy Commanding Officer, 64th Corps Support Group, 13th Corps Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas
- Commander, B Company, 143rd Ordnance Battalion, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland[3]
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 Defense Logistics Agency, 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
- 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[3]
Perna's nomination for promotion to commanding general of the United States Army Materiel Command was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 15, 2016.[4] He assumed command on September 30, 2016.[3] In March 2020, his deputy Lieutenant General Edward M. Daly was confirmed as his successor at Materiel Command.[5] In May 2020, Perna was named chief operating officer of the White House's Operation Warp Speed effort to quickly develop a COVID-19 vaccine.[6][7] In June 2020, he was nominated to continue serving as an Army general in the position of chief operating officer.[2]
Awards and decorations
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References
- 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.
- "Nominations—Hokanson—Perna". U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- "General Gustave F. Perna: Commanding General" (PDF). U.S. Army Materiel Command. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- "PN1668 – Lt. Gen. Gustave F. Perna – Army". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
- "PN1541 — Lt. Gen. Edward M. Daly — Army". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2020-06-13.
- 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.
- Crisp, Elizabeth (2020-05-15). "Trump launches "operation warp speed" effort to develop coronavirus vaccine by year's end". Newsweek. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gustave F. Perna. |
| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by Dennis L. Via |
Commander of United States Army Materiel Command 2016–present |
Incumbent |