August 31, 2010 - The Aero Club of Southern California will honor Frederick W. (Fred) Smith, chairman, president and CEO of FedEx Corporation with its 2010 Howard Hughes Memorial Award. 

The Howard Hughes Memorial Award is an aviation industry award presented annually by the Aero Club of Southern California. The award is given "to an aerospace leader whose accomplishments over a long career have contributed significantly to the advancement of aviation or space technology." 

The award was established in 1978 by William R. Lummis, a first cousin of aviation pioneer Howard Hughes, who at the time was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Summa Corp.. Recipients of the Howard Hughes Memorial Award receive a solid silver medallion cast from silver mined from Hughes' Nevada mining operations.

The acquisition of two California companies ? cargo giant Flying Tiger Line in 1989 and Kinko?s office services in 2004 ? helped fuel FedEx?s dramatic growth. Since founding FedEx in 1971, Smith has been an active proponent of regulatory reform, free trade and "open skies agreements" for aviation around the world. Most recently, he has advocated for vehicle energy-efficiency standards and a national energy policy.  

A commemorative sculpture bearing Smith?s name will remain on permanent display at the Los Angeles International Airport's Flight Path Museum. During the banquet, ACSC will present him with a rare, solid silver medallion featuring Howard Hughes' image as well as depictions of his many accomplishments.