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The moments following the shooting of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 were captured in a number of compelling images. However, one image in particular stood out: a Secret Service agent, Clint Hill, jumping onto the back of the presidential limousine to shield the president and first lady. November 22, 2023, marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination, and Clint Hill, now 91, reflects on being the man who tried to save the president. He recalls the personal connection he formed with Kennedy, compared to previous presidents, as he was assigned to Jacqueline Kennedy in 1960.
Hill was present as part of the motorcade when Kennedy was shot in Dallas. He vividly remembers the chaos and his immediate response to the attack. His initial thought was that the noise was a firecracker, but he quickly realized it was a gunshot when he saw the president’s reaction. Hill ran to the back of the presidential limousine, using his body as a shield as the vehicle sped towards the hospital. In the aftermath, Hill was plagued by guilt and struggled with his emotional state.
By 1975, Hill’s emotional state had taken its toll on his health, and he was forced to retire from the Secret Service. He experienced ongoing health issues and emotional distress related to the assassination. Despite being hailed as a hero by many, Hill still grapples with accepting that label. He has, however, found solace in opening up about his experience and discussing his struggles with PTSD as a way to cope. With his wife, Lisa McCubbin Hill, he has written four books about his days as a Secret Service agent.