Midway Magic: An Oral History of America's Legendary Aircraft Carrier

Throughout its 47-year career, the USS Midway sailed at the center of almost every international crisis and conflict in the latter half of the 20th century. Its crew set new standards of naval aviation. A captured German V-2 rocket was launched off the carrier in 1947, marking the dawn of naval missile warfare. Midway taught the Navy how to fly among the icebergs during sub-Arctic winter air operations off the coast of Greenland. Time and again, Midway rescued thousands of refugees on its humanitarian missions. During an odyssey that spanned the end of World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the Cold War, detente, and even Desert Storm, Midway answered every call, both military and peacekeeping.

Based on more than 300 interviews with Midway sailors who served aboard America's longest serving carrier between 1945 and 1992, readers of Midway Magic join the crew, experiencing these historic accomplishments alongside the men who were there.

Scott McGaugh is a professional writer and graduate of Arizona State University. A former newspaper publisher in Durango, Colorado and accredited public relations professional, McGaugh has co-owned several leading San Diego public relations and advertising agencies. Since 1996, Scott McGaugh played an active role in the campaign to bring the USS Midway to San Diego as a permanent museum. A San Diego native, McGaugh's writing has been published in more than 150 newspapers and magazines, and he is a highly sought speaker and university guest lecturer. MIDWAY MAGIC is the first of several books planned by Scott McGaugh.