Clint Hill, the Secret Service agent who famously ran into the line of fire to protect First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy during the assassination of United States former President John F. Kennedy, died on Friday at the age of 93.
Hill’s quick actions on November 22, 1963, became one of the defining images of that tragic day. As shots rang out in Dealey Plaza, he leapt onto the back of the presidential limousine, pushing the first lady down into her seat to shield her and the fatally wounded president.
The U.S. Secret Service paid tribute to Hill in a statement on Monday, commending his “unwavering dedication and exceptional service.”
The agency described him as a man whose career “exemplified the highest ideals of public service,” adding, “We mourn the loss of a respected colleague and a dear friend whose contributions to the agency and the nation will forever be remembered.”
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Hill was assigned to the first lady’s detail that day and had been riding in the vehicle directly behind Kennedy’s car. As he rushed toward the limousine, he saw the president struck and, as the motorcade sped away, signaled to his fellow agents with a thumbs down.
For decades, Hill remained haunted by that moment, believing he could have done more. In a later interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, he reflected, “I had a sense that we had a responsibility to protect the president that day and we failed.” He added, “I was the only one who had a chance to do anything… And I couldn’t get there fast enough.”
Born in Larimore, North Dakota, Hill, whose Secret Service code name was “Dazzle,” served under five U.S. presidents: Dwight Eisenhower, Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford.
His career spanned key moments in American history, including the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the assassinations of both JFK and Robert F. Kennedy.
Hill was forced to retire at 43 due to post-traumatic stress from the Kennedy assassination. The Hill family, in a statement Monday, noted his service through the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and Watergate.
He is survived by his wife, Lisa McCubbin Hill, as well as his sons and grandchildren.
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