The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain Dana C. Covey, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Consultant to the Surgeon Geneal, Navy Orthopedic Specialty Leader, Executive Officer of Fleet Hospital FIVE, Director of Surgical Services, and Head, Orthopedic Surgery, Naval Hospital, Bremerton, Washington, from August 1991 to January 2001. Captain Covey demonstrated an unequaled combination of leadership, operational expertise, and clinical acumen that resulted in improved medical readiness of active duty personnel, and unchallenged operational primacy for Fleet Hospital FIVE. A superb leader of the Navy’s worldwide orthopedic surgery community and key consultant to the Surgeon General, he led Fleet Hospital FIVE to a near perfect score in combining the benefit and readiness missions in a manner previously unknown in Navy Medicine. Captain Covey’s outstanding research contributions have directly benefited our Sailors and Marines, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has singled out his unique achievements in military medicine for recognition. Always leading from the front, whether overseas in regions of combat or civil strife, or stateside in the management, research, or clinical arenas, he epitomizes the best of Navy Medicine. By his outstanding leadership, commendable innovation, and inspiring devotion to duty , Captain Covery reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Bronze Star Medal
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Legion of Merit
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United States NavyRank:
CaptainAction Date:
June 2011 – September 2013
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Captain Dana C. Covey, United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Navy Medicine Specialty Leader and Chair, and Department Head, Orthopedic Surgery, Directorate for Surgical Services, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California from June 2011 to September 2013. Captain Covey directed a community of 235 orthopedic surgeons, achieving an unprecedented increase in retention rate from 77 to an historical high of 100 percent. He led the Navy’s three orthopedic residency programs to meet new requirements, achieving the first five year accreditation for all three. He established agreements with civilian surgery centers while facilitating seamless care for thousands of active duty members, thereby ensuring a more rapid return to duty. Captain Covey conceived and established support for the Navy’s orthopedic physician assistant program, and conceptualized and deployed the first shipboard expeditionary resuscitative surgical system, thereby revolutionizing shipboard surgical support. Captain Covey’s performance of duties highlights the culmination of 40 years of honorable and dedicated service. By his dynamic direction, keen judgment, and loyal devotion to duty, Captain Covey reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Bronze Star Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
CaptainAction Date:
February – October 2004
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain Dana C. Covey, United States Navy, for meritorious achievement in connection with combat operations involving conflict with an opposing force while serving as Officer-in-Charge, Forward Resuscitative Surgery System 3, Shock Trauma Platoon 7, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force from February to October 2004, in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM II. Captain Covey led from the front, during convoy operations, under fire, and during stressful surgery. As Officer-in-Charge, he guided a seamless transition into the combat theater, quickly molding personnel into a cohesive team. Invaluable to I Marine Expeditionary Force Civil Affairs Group efforts in western Iraq, he convoyed to the Syrian and Jordanian borders to perform health facility surveys, and repeatedly to Ar Rutbah, Iraq, despite an explosive device detonation and enemy threat. His planning garnered more than 1.2 million dollars for renovation and hospital reconstruction. With the onset of Operation VIGILANT RESOLVE, he was repositioned to Fallujah where he provided superb orthopedic surgical care to hundreds of personnel while personally exposing himself to grave danger during more than 100 indirect fire attacks. A true force multiplier, his exceptional skills would have otherwise required medical evacuation. Captain Covey’s total effectiveness, forceful leadership, and loyal devotion to duty reflect great credit upon him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.