US Air Force Officer Takes The Crown As Miss America 2024

January 15, 2024

In an inspiring journey that reaches for the stars, Second Lieutenant Madison Marsh has achieved a remarkable feat by being crowned Miss America 2024.

Her story began four years ago when she entered the Air Force Academy with a cadet's spirit, armed with a pilot's license and the ambitious dream of becoming an astronaut.

Currently pursuing graduate studies in public policy at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School through a special Air Force partnership program, Marsh has demonstrated her commitment to excellence both in academia and the military.

A trailblazer in her own right, Marsh, after being named Miss Colorado in May, has etched her name in history as the first active-duty officer to compete for the Miss America crown. The Air Force Academy proudly acknowledges her as a symbol of dedication, resilience, and the pursuit of diverse dreams.

@missamericaco Miss Colorado takes the skies! Grateful for the chance to ride backseat in an F-16 — my pilot was the only female fighter pilot in the squadron… an inspiration for all young women to look up to. #empoweredtolead #airforce #trailblazer #missamerica #misscolorado ♬ original sound - edits

On January 14, 2024, the culmination of her journey reached its pinnacle as she was crowned Miss America, making her the first active-duty Air Force officer to receive this prestigious title.

Marsh said she hopes her journey "can tell the young girls that you don’t have to play a conventional role."

"The sky is not the limit," Marsh said. "It’s not the limit for me, because I fly planes up there, people go to space up there, women go up there, and so women can do it all."