Madison Marsh makes history as the first-ever Miss America on active duty with the US Air Force

Madison Marsh, an officer in the US Air Force, was crowned Miss America 2024 on Sunday, January 14.

Marsh is the first-ever woman to win Miss America as an active member in the military. At only 22 years old, she is a second lieutenant in the Air Force while also attending Harvard University.

Graduating from the Air Force Academy in Colorado with a degree in Physics, Marsh is certainly accomplished at such a young age.

Miss Colorado Madison Marsh is crowned as Miss America 2024 / X @CierraClarkTV

Marsh claimed, "I don't think I ever would have become Miss Colorado without the Air Force Academy because they have trained me and honed in on my leadership."

The Air Force later posted photos of Marsh on X stating, "Congratulations to our very own 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, aka Miss Colorado - who was just crowned Miss America 2024! Marsh is the first active duty service member to ever with the title. "

"When I put on my uniform, I serve and I represent our country," she said. "When I put on the crown and sash, I'm serving, representing my community."

In an interview with The Harvard Crimson, Marsh said, "You're serving but in a different way."

After winning, Marsh spoke out about her hope to share her mother's story about her fight with pancreatic cancer, the illness that caused her death. She wishes to "raise money and increase research funds for pancreatic cancer."

Marsh hopes to be an inspiration for all women. In her Harvard Newspaper interview, she said "The sky is not the limit. 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."