FedEx Founder Frederick Smith Vietnam

Frederick W. Smith, future founder of FedEx, served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corps, where he closely observed military procurement and delivery procedures, and there he fine-tuned his dream of an overnight delivery service. In combat zones, he watched how the military rushed critical supplies and equipment to the front on tight schedules. For his service in Vietnam, he received a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts.

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