Gustave F. Perna


Gustave F. Perna is a United States Army four-star general who serves as the chief operating officer of Operation Warp Speed. As chief operating officer, he serves as co-leader and oversees the logistics in the United States federal government's search for a vaccine to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate confirmed his nomination as chief operating officer on July 2, 2020, and he assumed the office shortly after.
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.

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. 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.

Military career

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 was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 15, 2016. He assumed command on September 30, 2016. In March 2020, his deputy Lieutenant General Edward M. Daly was confirmed as his successor at Materiel Command. 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. In June 2020, he was nominated to continue serving as an Army general in the position of chief operating officer, and was confirmed the next month by the Senate.

Awards and decorations