Clint Hill, JFK’s Lifesaving Secret Service Agent, Dies at 93

BELVEDERE, Calif. (AP) — Clint Hill, the Secret Service agent who made history by leaping onto the back of President John F. Kennedy‘s limousine during the infamous assassination on Nov. 22, 1963, died Friday at the age of 93. Hill passed away at his home in Belvedere, California, although no cause of death was provided by his publisher.

With few recognizing his name, the image of Hill on Abraham Zapruder’s home movie became iconic, showcasing his courageous actions to shield Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy from gunfire. Although he received multiple awards from the Secret Service for his bravery that day, Hill spent decades grappling with guilt, feeling he could have acted more decisively to protect the president.

“If I had reacted just a little bit quicker… I’ll live with that to my grave,” Hill told Mike Wallace on CBS’s “60 Minutes” in a moving 1975 interview.

Assigned to protect Jacqueline Kennedy in 1960, Hill found himself in the motorcade during the now-historic Dallas visit. As they approached Dealey Plaza, Hill was perched on the running board of the follow-up car directly behind the presidential limousine. Upon hearing shots fired, he witnessed the president slump in his seat, prompting him to leap from his vehicle and race toward the limousine.

Hill’s instinctive move saved Jacqueline Kennedy from further distress as he pulled her back into her seat to protect her from the chaos enveloping the car. Following the assassination, Hill faced overwhelming guilt that lingered for years, even leading to thoughts of suicide.

In his memoir, Hill described a night in December 1963 when the horrors of Dallas consumed him. “Guilt and anguish consumed me. All I could think about was Dallas,” he recounted after a family trip, revealing the profound emotional scars he carried.

Despite this trauma, Hill later enjoyed a successful career in the Secret Service, witnessing numerous historical events as he served five presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard M. Nixon, and Gerald Ford. Eventually, Hill became the agent in charge of the White House protective detail.

In his later years, Hill co-authored several books detailing his experiences in the Secret Service with his wife, Lisa McCubbin Hill, who described their relationship as “once-in-a-lifetime love.” Hill was known for publicly sharing his experiences and insights into the pivotal moments surrounding Kennedy’s assassination.

After years of emotional turmoil, Hill reflected on his experiences, noting, “Somehow, there is a sense of freedom in no longer keeping that darkness to myself.” He expressed gratitude for the honesty and catharsis that came through sharing his story.

Clint Hill is survived by his wife, Lisa, two sons, five grandchildren, and two step-grandsons. A private funeral service is planned for a future date in Washington, D.C.