NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Retired United States Army Col. Perry L. Knight is the Defense Logistics Agency’s newest member of the Senior Executive Service and DLA Distribution’s sixth deputy commander.
Knight, who has held the position of chief of staff, both in uniform and as a civilian since July 2006, has been serving as acting deputy commander since January of this year.
A native of Buena Vista, Virginia, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army upon graduation from the Virginia Military Institute in 1982. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in economics. He also holds a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Knight’s assignments include the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon; Director, Logistics Operations, U.S. Forces Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia; Multiple Commanding Officer positions in Germany and Georgia; and Brigade Operations Officer, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Additionally, he served in numerous positions in the 1st Infantry Division including division logistics officer; Combat Support Battalion Executive Officer; Division Transportation Officer; Support Operations Officer and Aviation Brigade Operations Officer, all located at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Knight also served on the Department of the Army Staff, the Pentagon; Aide-de-Camp; and held numerous positions in the Netherlands, Germany and Iraq.
His military training includes the Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.
His personal military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
His civilian awards include the Secretary of Defense Medal for Meritorious Civilian Service, DLA Outstanding Leader of the Year, DLA Superior Civilian Service Award and DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
His other decorations include the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Kuwaiti (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait) Liberation Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Support Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, and the National Defense Service Medal.
He is also authorized to wear the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Department of the Army Identification Badges.
“Perry’s commitment to this organization, our workforce, our mission and our warfighter is evident in all that he does and who he is as a former Army Officer, senior leader and human being, said United States Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Keith Reventlow, commanding general for DLA Distribution. “His depth of knowledge, career experience, stellar leadership --and let’s be honest – his upbeat sense of humor, keeps our organization moving forward. I couldn’t be more proud to serve alongside him in leading this organization.”
An official induction ceremony will be conducted virtually in the coming weeks.