In 1964 USS Midway & USS Kitty Hawk had a little competition while deployed to 'West-Pac.' Midway was operating with two elevators due to the loss at sea of her #3 elevator. We had the center line elevator forward & the elevator at the angle. Midway won the competion against the much newer Kitty Hawk as attested by the attached message. It's an interesting piece of Midway History... we called it 'Midway Magic.'

"Another thrilling chapter in Task Force 77 side by side ops and competition is in the record book. Complete results not yet received however on strength of bombing scores, and at risk of completely wrecking harmonious relationship between me and my staff and Jack Gambrilli aerial circus, the floral horseshoe must go to Charlie Demmlers aces. Well done. Request Captain Wright procure and present horseshoe at appropriate ceremony. First opportunity send bill to me, I have an idea who will pay for it. Kitty Hawk & CAW-11 are convinced that Midway and CAW-2 are resorting to all sorts of rivalry, skull duggery, rule stretching, outright cheating, shifty tactics, etc. but are otherwise acting like good sports. Final competition results later. In all seriousness hats off to two great ships and their great Air Wings. It is a unique honor and a tremendous privilege to be associated with you."

"RADM South"