Clint Hill, Iconic Secret Service Agent from JFK Assassination, Passes Away at 93

Clint Hill, a prominent figure in U.S. history for his role during the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, has died at the age of 93, leaving behind a complex legacy marked by heroism and haunting guilt.

Clint Hill, the U.S. Secret Service agent known for his courageous leap onto President John F. Kennedy's limousine during the fateful assassination on November 22, 1963, has died at the age of 93 at his California home. His passing marks the end of a life steeped in history, one that was profoundly impacted by an event he witnessed firsthand. In a moment captured by the infamous Zapruder film, Hill rushed towards the president and his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, in the midst of gunfire, a courageous move that would later come to symbolize the harrowing events of that day.

Born in North Dakota and having served in the Army before joining the Secret Service in 1958, Hill was assigned to protect Mrs. Kennedy during the trip to Dallas. Despite his bravery, he spent decades grappling with guilt, convinced that a faster response could have altered the tragic outcome. In an interview with CBS’s Mike Wallace, he openly stated, "If I had reacted about five-tenths of a second faster… I would have taken the shot.” This profound sense of responsibility haunted Hill, leading to his early retirement from the Secret Service in 1975.

As time passed, Hill found solace in writing, authoring several bestselling memoirs, including "Mrs. Kennedy and Me," which he co-wrote with journalist Lisa McCubbin. Their professional relationship blossomed into a personal one, culminating in marriage in 2021. His later years were marked by reflections on his involvement in the assassination, as he made peace with the idea that he could not have changed its outcome.

Hill's legacy is not just one of the dramatic moment of that day in Dallas, but also of the emotional burdens carried by those protecting the nation's leaders. His passing is mourned by many who recognize the weight of history he carried throughout his life, although the specific cause of death has not been disclosed.