Clint Hill, the Secret Service agent who famously jumped onto John F. Kennedy’s limousine during the assassination in Dallas on November 22, 1963, has died at the age of 93. Hill passed away at his home in Belvedere, California, according to his publisher, Gallery Books.
- Clint Hill, JFK's Secret Service agent, dies.
- Hill retired early due to assassination trauma.
- He leaped onto JFK's limousine during shooting.
- Hill blamed himself for Kennedy's death.
- He co-authored books about his experiences.
- Private funeral service planned in Washington DC.
Clint Hill was born in 1932 in Washburn, North Dakota. He joined the Secret Service in 1958 and quickly rose to prominence as part of the team protecting President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. On the day of the assassination, he was positioned behind the presidential limousine when shots were fired. Footage captured by Abraham Zapruder shows Hill leaping from a follow-up car onto the trunk of Kennedy’s vehicle as it sped away from Dealey Plaza.
Despite receiving awards for bravery following the incident, Hill carried deep guilt over not acting swiftly enough to save Kennedy. In a poignant interview with Mike Wallace on CBS’s 60 Minutes, he expressed regret over what he perceived as a failure to protect the president: “If I had reacted just a little bit quicker… I’ll live with that to my grave.” Over time, he began addressing these feelings publicly through interviews and memoirs.
- Hill served as an agent in charge of White House security after JFK’s death.
- He retired early at age 43 due to ongoing depression related to his experiences.
- In recent years, he found some peace regarding his role during the assassination.
In addition to speaking engagements about his experiences, Hill co-authored several books detailing his time with the Secret Service. His life story inspired aspects of popular culture including Clint Eastwood’s film In the Line of Fire. A private funeral service will be held in Washington D.C., honoring a man whose actions became emblematic of one of America‘s most tragic moments.
The legacy of Clint Hill endures through both his personal narrative and contributions to historical accounts surrounding JFK’s presidency and assassination. His reflections serve as reminders of the profound impact such events have on individuals tasked with safeguarding leaders.
