# Frederick W. Smith: founder, FedEx Corporation

Canonical ID: `12a125c3-b7a8-4ffb-8f8b-926921ec111c`

Founder of FedEx Corporation who revolutionized express delivery, launching Federal Express in 1971 based on a concept from his Yale term paper. A Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Vietnam (Silver Star, Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts), he led FedEx as CEO until 2022 and as Executive Chairman until his death on June 21, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee.

- **Nationality:** American
- **Verification posture:** reported

## Former / Previously (1)

- [FedEx Corporation](https://registry.deploy.report/companies/fedex.md) Founder & Former CEO (secondary-verified)

## Sources (4)

1. https://www.fedex.com/en-us/about/leadership/frederick-w-smith.html
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_W._Smith
3. https://newsroom.fedex.com/newsroom/global-english/frederick-w-smith-visionary-founder-of-fedex-dies-at-80
4. https://www.forbes.com/profile/frederick-smith/


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