1963 in Dallas

John F. Kennedy’s bodyguard Clint Hill is dead

Small picture: "First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy bends over the fatally shot President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963, while Secret Service agent Clint Hill pushes her back into her seat. Large image: Clint Hill in 2013(Bild: AP/AP, Krone KREATIV)

The former bodyguard of Jacqueline Kennedy is dead. He was present at the assassination attempt in Dallas in 1963, in which the then US President John F. Kennedy lost his life.

Clint Hill had been with the United States Secret Service since 1958 and was assigned to the White House just one year later. Among other things, he was responsible for the security of then President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Hill threw himself over presidential couple
He was later assigned to the "First Lady" Jacqueline Kennedy and her husband. He threw himself over the then 34-year-old on November 22, 1963, when her husband was fatally shot and slumped over in an open limousine in downtown Dallas at around 12:30 p.m. 

"First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy bends over the fatally shot President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963, as Secret Service agent Clint Hill pushes her back into her seat and lies protectively over her.(Bild: AP)

Bodyguard responded within seconds
Clint Hill, then 31 years old and a member of the Secret Service, was on the left running board of the vehicle traveling directly behind the presidential car. When the shots rang out, he reacted immediately, jumped onto the rear and lay protectively over the couple.

Clint Hill in 2013(Bild: AP)

He later announced that the events of that day had left a lifelong mark on him. At the age of 93, he passed away last Friday at his home in Belvedere, California. The cause of death was not disclosed.