From Vietnam war veteran to FedEx billionaire: Fred Smith’s career highlights explored

Fred Smith, founder of the package delivery giant FedEx, died on June 21 at the age of 80. The news was announced by the company through the statement:

"It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I share that Frederick W. Smith, our founder and executive chairman, died earlier today. Fred was more than just the pioneer of an industry and the founder of our great company. He was the heart and soul of FedEx."

According to the company statement, Fred died of natural causes in Tennessee, where he was brought up. Before founding FedEx in 1971, Fred Smith also served in the Vietnam War, where he was a Marine Corps officer and was awarded a Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and a Silver Star for his bravery and service.

A look back at Fred Smith’s biggest career milestones

Frederick Smith, born in Mississippi, studied at Yale University, where he first came up with the idea of a system that could deliver packages on the same day.

Fred Smith also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years after his graduation, including two tours in the Vietnam War. He also co-chaired the campaign for the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the U.S. World War II Memorial project.

In a tribute reflecting on his life, the company shared:

"He served four years in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which included two tours of duty in Vietnam where he served as a rifle platoon leader, a company commander, and aerial observer/tactical air controller in the OV-10A."

It continued,

"He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for his military service. He left the Marine Corps in 1970 as a Captain, and would often joke that he received his ‘business degree’ from the USMC."

The year before launching FedEx, Smith acquired control of Ark Aviation and redirected its business toward used jet sales. In 1971, he founded FedEx, the now world-famous delivery service, and started its operations two years later.

In its statement, FedEx explained the company’s present scale by adding,

"Today, FedEx is the world’s largest express transportation company and is consistently recognized as one of the world’s most admired companies. The company employs more than 500,000 team members globally, connects more than 220 countries and territories, and moves nearly $2 trillion in goods annually and more than 17 million shipments per day."

Additionally, he was also chairman of the International Air Transport Association and led the U.S. Air Transport Association’s executive committee.

However, in 2022, Smith decided to step down as CEO and became executive chairman of FedEx, with Raj Subramaniam taking over as CEO.

In a statement, Fred Smith said,

"As we look toward what’s next, I have a great sense of satisfaction that a leader of the caliber of Raj Subramaniam will take FedEx into a very successful future. In my role as Executive Chairman, I look forward to focusing on Board governance as well as issues of global importance, including sustainability, innovation, and public policy."

Fred Smith held many important roles outside FedEx, including serving on business councils and boards of major companies like AutoZone and General Mills. He was also involved with charities like the Mayo Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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