| Gustave F. Perna | |
| Birth Date: | 15 April 1960 |
| Birth Place: | Rockaway, New Jersey |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1981–2021 |
| Rank: | General |
| Commands: | Joint Munitions Command Defense Supply Center Philadelphia 4th Sustainment Brigade 64th Forward Support Battalion |
| Battles: | Iraq War |
| Awards: | Defense 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) 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.[1] The Senate confirmed his nomination as chief operating officer on July 2, 2020,[2] [3] and he assumed the office shortly after.[4]
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.[5]
Perna retired from the Army on July 2, 2021 after over 40 years of service.[6]
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.[7] 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.[5]
Perna's command assignments include:
Perna's staff assignments include:
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.[5] 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.[2]
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."
Perna's military awards include:[13]
| Defense Distinguished Service Medal | |
| Army Distinguished Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters | |
| Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster | |
| Legion of Merit | |
| 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 | |
| Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster | |
| Joint Meritorious Unit Award | |
| Valorous Unit Award | |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation | |
| Superior Unit Award | |
| 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 |