FREDERICK W. SMITH

Frederick Smith was born in Marks, Mississippi, but his childhood was difficult. He was stricken by a serious bone disease that temporarily limited his mobility. He recovered at 10, and as a teenager began learning to fly.

In 1962, Smith entered Yale University and famously drafted a thesis proposing an overnight, air-ground delivery system, an idea that was met with professorial skepticism and earned the paper a mediocre grade. That concept later became the foundation for Federal Express.

After graduating, Smith served four years in the Marine Corps, including two tours in Vietnam. While serving as a platoon leader and aerial observer, he earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. 

Drawing on his $4 million inheritance and raising additional funding, Smith founded FedEx in 1971. Operations began in 1973 with 14 Dassault Falcons, offering overnight delivery service between 25 U.S. cities. Smith chose Memphis as his hub, establishing the hub-and-spoke model that would revolutionize package delivery worldwide. 

The early years were difficult. At one point, Smith gambled the company’s last $5,000 in Las Vegas and won $27,000, which reportedly kept FedEx afloat. Under his leadership, the company expanded rapidly, evolving from a small startup into a global powerhouse.

By 2025, the company operated hundreds of aircraft and more than 200,000 vehicles with thousands of facilities worldwide. He employed more than 500,000 people and handled roughly 17 million shipments daily across more than 220 countries and territories.

Fred Smith will be remembered as a visionary who transformed a college thesis into an empire, changing how goods and documents move around the world.

Beyond his business achievements, Smith was involved in civic, philanthropic, and global-policy initiatives. He served on numerous boards and councils, including roles at think tanks and international transport associations. He supported charitable causes related to education, veterans’ affairs, and community development.