---
title: "USAF officer makes history as first active duty Miss America"
date: "2024-01-16"
modified: "2024-01-16"
authors:
  - name: "Tessa Robinson"
    job_title: "Chief Emeritus, Former CIA"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/tessarobinson/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-news/usaf-officer-makes-history-as-first-active-duty-miss-america/"
categories:
  - "Air Force"
  - "History"
  - "Military News"
---

# USAF officer makes history as first active duty Miss America

![photo collage of Miss America Madison Marsh](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/16/Untitled-design-36.png>)
*Madison Marsh, USAF photo, left; right: screengrab, Miss America Instagram*

On Sunday night, January 14, 2024, U.S. Air Force officer Madison Marsh made history when she was crowned the 2024 Miss America in Orlando. The 22-year-old Miss Colorado competed against 50 other contestants (one representing every state and one from the District of Columbia) and became the first-ever active duty service member to earn the title.

Marsh is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and the first contestant to be an Academy grad. On Instagram, Marsh wrote, "Miss Academy - a woman who does both. I am immensely grateful to represent multiple communities that often look like polar opposites. If I am crowned Miss Colorado, I would be the first ever Miss America contestant to be a graduate from an Academy or an officer from any military branch. To me, this represents all current uniformed women and all those yet to come. Holding this title as an officer is a testament to women breaking boundaries and stereotypes daily. I hope my pageant journey has opened many eyes and minds so that countless other women can follow in pursuit. Colorado is a state of “firsts” and I would be proud to add to the list."

> [View this post on Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CRg-hE1IxKK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading>)

> [A post shared by Madison Marsh (@missmadisonmarsh)](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CRg-hE1IxKK/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading>)

That she did. Semi-finalists competed in four rounds of events. The events included a fitness runway walk, a "hot topics" interview, a talent show, and, per tradition, the evening gown runway. Marsh is certainly impressive, but she's much, much more than "just a pretty face." In addition to being a second lieutenant in the Air Force, Marsh is a fierce advocate for pancreatic cancer research. Her why? Her mom.

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/16/Screen-Shot-2024-01-16-at-9.51.22-AM.png>)
*Madison Marsh and her mom, photo via Instagram*

"For those who do not know, my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January of 2018," Marsh wrote on Instagram. "After months of intense chemotherapy, she was set to have a life-saving procedure called 'The Whipple' on July 11. However, the day before her scans showed that her cancer had taken over her entire stomach. Her liver. Her abdominal wall. Her intestines. Everything. This meant no procedure and doctors telling her the horrific line 'you will not make it to Christmas.' Unfortunately, my mom did not. She passed away from this terrorizing cancer on November 1, 2018. This is the type of person I fight for because I am tired of people like her becoming a statistic. A statistic that states only 9% of pancreatic cancer patients will survive. An unforgettable and unacceptable statistic."

> [View this post on Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CrWihOcJY5z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading>)

> [A post shared by Madison Marsh (@missmadisonmarsh)](<https://www.instagram.com/p/CrWihOcJY5z/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading>)

Following her mother’s death from pancreatic cancer, Marsh and her family founded the Whitney Marsh Foundation. The Foundation has raised over $250,000 for research. Marsh is passionate about finding a cure and studying how to harness artificial intelligence to identify pancreatic cancer at Harvard.

Watch the latest video at [foxnews.com](<https://www.foxnews.com>)

Congratulations, Miss America! Way to Aim High!

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[The real-life TOPGUN advisors made cameos in 'Top Gun' and 'Top Gun: Maverick'](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/entertainment/the-real-life-topgun-advisors-made-cameos-in-top-gun-and-top-gun-maverick/>)

[Army putting popular howitzer back into production](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/tactical/the-army-is-putting-this-howitzer-back-into-production/>)

## Author
Tessa Robinson served as Editor in Chief for We Are The Mighty for 5.5 glorious years from January 2020 - May 2025. She spent over a decade with the federal government working in emergency management before reinventing herself as a writer courtesy of military life. Prior to WATM, Robinson served as Managing Editor for Spouse & Family at Military.com and Branded Content at Task & Purpose. She's the author of the New York Times Deployment Diary and founder of Humans on the Homefront. When she's not scrolling through social media aimlessly looking for stories, she's coaching her daughter's basketball team or playing baseball with her son.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttrobinson/>)