On Wednesday, Clint Hill, a former Secret Service agent who served five presidents, published a series of tweets describing the timeline of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Presidential historian, Michael Beschloss, filled in some gaps.
Hill is best remembered for his actions after Lee Harvey Oswald fired upon the presidential motorcade on November 22, 1963.
While standing on the lip of the vehicle driving behind President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Hill heard Oswald’s first gunshot, and saw the president “[grab] at his throat.” Without thinking, he bolted toward the scene. Despite his speed, he was unable to reach the president before the final, fatal shot was fired. Hill then used his body to shield the First Lady in the event of further gunfire.
Couldn't transport Secret Service cars from San Antonio to Houston in time, so we had leased cars on 11/21/63. Rather uncomfortable, and not ideal for protection, to ride straddling the door in follow-up car. pic.twitter.com/Oeg8V40W73
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 21, 2017
We saw a few protestors in Houston on 11/21/63. But nothing violent. No specific threats. pic.twitter.com/kGoGJyqsVs
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 21, 2017
Couldn't transport Secret Service cars from San Antonio to Houston in time, so we had leased cars on 11/21/63. Rather uncomfortable, and not ideal for protection, to ride straddling the door in follow-up car. pic.twitter.com/Oeg8V40W73
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 21, 2017
We saw a few protestors in Houston on 11/21/63. But nothing violent. No specific threats. pic.twitter.com/kGoGJyqsVs
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 21, 2017
President and Mrs. Kennedy held hands at Carswell Air Force Base as we prepared to depart Fort Worth for Dallas. They were thrilled with the reception they'd received thus far in Texas. That's me behind them. pic.twitter.com/LemRTy1Qkr
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
Seemed ridiculous to fly from Ft. Worth to Dallas, but political staff wanted arrival of Air Force One in Dallas. An exuberant crowd greeted President and Mrs. Kennedy at Love Field. @JFKLibrary pic.twitter.com/8Hs1OiEeiK
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
They were supposed to get directly into the car, but President Kennedy went to the fence line to shake hands. Mrs. Kennedy followed. The press went crazy. pic.twitter.com/fNzww6YUZW
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
As we proceeded down Main St. in Dallas, the crowds grew larger. 15-20 people deep on each side of the street. People hanging out of windows, on fire escapes, anywhere they could get to have a view of President and Mrs. Kennedy. pic.twitter.com/4EMqWemC6W
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
There were 2 motorcycle cops immediately to my left. The noise of the engines very loud, mixed with the screams and cheers. As we came to end of Main St., turned onto Houston, the crowds suddenly dropped off. pic.twitter.com/OA8OEXKNtf
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
The cars had to slow way down as we made the sharp turn from Houston onto Elm. Suddenly, I heard an explosive noise over my right shoulder, from the rear. I turned toward the noise. Notice the other agents are turning back toward the noise, too. pic.twitter.com/EWxik77avT
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
As I turned my head toward the noise, I stopped when I saw JFK's reaction. He grabbed at his throat and lurched to the left. I realized it was a gunshot. I jumped off the running board and ran toward the presidential limo. pic.twitter.com/7f422b1CzX
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
As I was running, two more shots were fired. Unfortunately, I was not faster than the bullets. pic.twitter.com/qhRLBy3SHw
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
As motorcade races to hospital, the great @ClintHill_SS protects President and First Lady: #Volkland pic.twitter.com/Y9l9nPdp4f
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) November 22, 2017
The other agents and I carried the casket up the stairs to Air Force One as Mrs. K watched. We got to the door, and it was too wide to fit through the door…we had to rip the handles off to make it fit. pic.twitter.com/KdajVvwW0j
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
After the autopsy at Bethesda Naval Hospital, we returned to the White House around 4:30am 11/23/63 with President John F. Kennedy in a new flag-draped casket. Mrs. Kennnedy & me still in our blood-stained clothes. @BeschlossDC @JFKLibrary @GalleryBooks #FiveDaysinNovember pic.twitter.com/cEMnUJBPHw
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 23, 2017
The casket was placed on a catafalque in East Room & surrounded by Honor Guard. I went home @ 6:30am. Shaved, showered, returned to White House. No time off. All other agents were w/LBJ. Only Paul Landis & me w/Mrs. Kennedy. There was no one to replace us. pic.twitter.com/h4jRaNMoru
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 23, 2017
(First reported by the Daily Wire) http://www.dailywire.com/news/23917/former-secret-service-agent-clint-hill-tweets-his-frank-camp (November 24, 2017)
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