NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. – U.S. Navy Cmdr. Joseph H. Peth, a native of Guyton, Ga., received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal during a change of command ceremony held at Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Bahrain Dec. 9. Navy Capt. Tim Griffin, commander, Naval Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center Bahrain, stepped in as the ceremony host, representing Army Col. Hattie Richardson, commander, Defense Logistics Agency United States Central Command and United States Special Operations Command, who could not be present due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in place.
Richardson provided her remarks via prerecorded video message and noted significant standout achievements during Peth’s tenure as commander of the distribution center.
She said, “Joe successfully led Distribution Bahrain through a complex pandemic environment – as we know ‘the Covid-19 crisis.’ He worked diligently and patiently with his higher command and support contractors to adapt to new logistics challenges — developing and implementing alternative regional distribution plans and methods to ensure uninterrupted warfighter sustainment support and managing operational risk as borders closed throughout the region.”
“Joe’s performance during his tour of duty has been phenomenal and has exceeded the standard for Defense Logistics Agency and our warfighters. As he heads to Naval Supply Systems Command in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, he leaves DLA Distribution Bahrain with a legacy of exceptional leadership and resourcefulness,” Richardson added.
Peth was recognized for his outstanding achievements as DLA Distribution Bahrain commander from June 2019 until December 2020 in support of Operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Inherent Resolve. During this period, Peth’s extraordinary leadership and exceptional creativity resulted in substantial contributions to the readiness of United States Armed Forces. He effectively led a cohesive and multi-functional workforce of 83 logistics professionals across multiple locations and successfully expanded the theater’s only Enterprise forward-positioned stock to 20,400-line items valued at $132 million.
Peth’s efforts provided an agile distribution network that delivered effective and efficient solutions that maximized mission readiness, extended operational reach, and sustained force lethality to all Service components operating in the United States Central Command area of responsibility. His superlative focus and direction helped execute the Trans-Arabian Network transportation contract, moving more than 3,300 tons of Warfighter mission-critical requirements valued at more than $29 million.
Peth departs DLA Distribution Bahrain for his next assignment as with Naval Supply Systems Command in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
