OV-10 Squadron
  • Restorations
    • Bronco 493
    • Bronco 474
    • Bronco 483
    • Bronco 418
    • Bronco 446
    • Bronco 479
    • Bronco 489
  • About
    • The Project
    • The Team
  • News
    • VIDEOS
    • Bronco Blog
    • OV-10 Events
    • Flight Tracker
    • Social Media
    • Subscribe
    • PRESS
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Select Page

Frederick Wallace Smith – The Man Behind FedEx

by Michael Jarvis | Dec 9, 2020

Photo Credit: U.S. Army

Many of us know about Frederick Wallace Smith, the founder, chairman, and CEO of FedEx. However, not all of us know about his beginnings, the idea that cemented the birth of FedEx, and where he learned the needed skills for commandeering the game-changing trend of the world’s first express overnight delivery service.

Fred Smith was born in Marks, Mississippi on August 11, 1944. His father, James Frederick Smith, was the founder of the Toddle House restaurant chain and the Dixie Greyhound Lines (formerly known as the Smith Motor Coach Company). His father died when he was only four which left him and his siblings to be raised by his mother and uncles.

As a young boy, Smith suffered from Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome which was a potentially crippling disease. In a manner reminiscent of Forrest Gump, this congenital birth defect caused him to wear braces and walk with the aid of crutches for most of his early life. Thankfully, he eventually grew out of the disease and even played both basketball and football.

Photo Credit: OV-10 Squadron

Influenced by his great interest in flying, he was able to become an amateur pilot as a teen which later on helped develop his skills as a Forward Air Controller, flying in the back seat of the OV-10. He studied Economics at Yale University in 1962 and it was there that his idea for an overnight delivery service was born when he wrote a paper for one of his professors. After graduation, Fred Smith enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for three years from 1966 to 1969.

Photo Credit: Blue Air Training

He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1969. He was ranked as Captain and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. He also served as a Forward Air Controller for the OV-10 Bronco.

As one of the most versatile aircraft used by the US Army, the OV-10 Bronco was the source of many victories during the Vietnam War. During that time, the OV-10’s unique adaptability enabled it to perform many missions for the Marines, Air Force, and Navy. And although it is slower than jets, it is easier to maneuver. It is also faster than helicopters and more tactically versatile. Combine all of those characteristics with being primarily a forward air control aircraft equipped with machine guns, bombs, and rockets and you get the perfect reconnaissance aircraft capable of being ferocious in an instant.

Photo Credit: OV 10 Bronco

As a forward air controller, Smith’s task was to locate the enemy and quickly report their location as well as their strength. It was the FAC’s mission to call in the heavy artillery to reduce or even eliminate the threat. But even without the help of heavy artillery, the OV-10 Bronco is capable of inflicting a lot of damage on its own while waiting for backup. And if the situation is right, backup won’t even be needed. This is why during its arrival in Vietnam in 1968, the aircraft quickly developed a reputation that made the Viet Cong think twice about trying to shoot at it. 

In addition to the Marine Corps citations that he earned in ground combat, he also flew over 200 ground-support missions as a forward air control in OV-10 Broncos.

Photo Credit: U.S. Army

On February 28, 2014, during the “Battlefield to Boardroom” event at the Pentagon, he would later relate that “Everything that went into FedEx that made the business what it is today relates to what I learned in the Marine Corps and I’ve always been grateful for that education and for those I’ve served with”. According to him, his wartime experiences gave him a deep appreciation not only for the leadership qualities of Marines but also for their organizational structure.

Using everything he learned, he integrated air-ground operations and ensured that everything from the pickup and delivery personnel to the pilots was all well-coordinated. And that is how, to this day, he makes every FedEx experience outstanding. That is also how a military forward air controller started one of America’s greatest companies.

OV10 Squadron Facebook   #FlyingBroncos

OV10 Squadron Twitter   @FlyingBroncos

OV10 Squadron Instagram   @OV10.Squadron

Recent News

  • This RC Powered OV-10 Bronco will make you look twice
  • Vietnam War Veteran Shares His Experience involving the OV-10
  • OV-10 Squadron: Pioneering the SpaceX Starship Program with Blue Air Training
  • Blue Air Strafe on Razorback Range
  • Legendary Bronco Historian Mike Verieramri Shares an Interesting Story

Recent Comments

  • Rick D. Darnall on Legendary Bronco Historian Mike Verieramri Shares an Interesting Story
  • Susan Beckett-Jones on Historic Vietnam Aircraft Takes Flight as part of World’s Largest Private Restoration Project
  • rick on Overview of the OV-10 in the US Air Force
  • JW on Black Pony OV10A Bronco Aircraft
  • Gerry Johnson on Black Pony OV10A Bronco Aircraft

Tags

Bob Hoover KCET Newport Harbor Shipyard OV-10 Bronco pilots OV-10 Bronco restoration Chino OV-10 Cal Fire OV-10 Firefighters OV-10 Isis combat ov-10 paint OV-10 Patty Wagstaff OV-10 Restoration Chino CA KCNO OV10 Bronco Museum

Join the mailing list

Check your email and confirm the subscription

RESTORATION NEWS

FLY WITH OV-10 SQUADRON

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

BLOG

This RC Powered OV-10 Bronco will make you look twice

This RC Powered OV-10 Bronco will make you look twice

May 14, 2025

RESTORATIONS

ABOUT

NEWS

CONTACT

Restoration News

SUBSCRIBE
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Restorations
  • About
  • News
  • Contact