Frederick Smith

Frederick Wallace Smith, born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi, and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, developed an early interest in aviation. At Yale University in 1965, while pursuing an economics degree, he conceived the idea of an integrated air-to-ground system for overnight delivery, a concept that would later become Federal Express. After graduating in 1966, Smith served four years in the United States Marine Corps, completing two tours of duty in Vietnam as a rifle platoon leader, company commander, and aerial observer/tactical air controller. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts, leaving the Marine Corps in 1970 as a Captain.

In 1973, Smith launched Federal Express with a fleet of 14 Dassault Falcon jets, initially delivering 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities on its first night. Under his leadership as President and CEO, FedEx expanded from a startup into a multinational corporation. It grew to employ over 500,000 team members globally, connecting more than 220 countries and territories, and moving billions of dollars in goods daily. His pioneering approach established new standards for customer focus, exemplified by the ‘Purple Promise’ and a ‘People-Service-Profit’ culture, which fostered a trusted brand worldwide.

Smith stepped down as CEO in 2022 to become Executive Chairman, focusing on global issues such as sustainability, innovation, and public policy until his death on June 21, 2025, at the age of 80. Throughout his career, he was an instrumental figure on the global stage, serving on various boards and councils, including the Business Roundtable, the U.S.-China Business Council, and the French American Business Council. He also supported numerous charitable causes, co-chairing the U.S. World War II Memorial project and the campaign for the National Museum of the Marine Corps.