Clint Hill tweeted his memories of being alongside JFK Jr.’s car when he was assassinated on this day 54 years ago. It’s pretty chilling.
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
Historian Michael Beschloss also recounted the events on twitter:
JFK’s Dallas motorcade route, published in newspaper the day before his visit: pic.twitter.com/QzcvTSSnrO
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) November 22, 2017
Huge Forth Worth crowds on November 22 greeted JFK in the morning.
— Gerald Posner (@geraldposner) November 22, 2017
Open air car.
Mingling with large crowds.
A security headache for the Secret Service.#JFKassassination #JFKFiles #JFKDocuments pic.twitter.com/IaoYwEK6at
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
It was a friendly, exuberant crowd. People cheering and clapping as we drove by at 10-15 miles per hour. https://t.co/sc848xnChn
— Clint Hill (@ClintHill_SS) November 22, 2017
President's motorcade on Main Street, Dallas, moving toward Dealey Plaza, this hour 1963, Dallas time: #JFKLibrary pic.twitter.com/tIN26AxLo6
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) November 22, 2017
Motorcade, this hour 1963, Dallas time: #Time pic.twitter.com/7pvPKWU4V6
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) 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
Moments later, people waiting to see President Kennedy, on other side of Triple Underpass from Dealey Plaza, do not realize what has happened: pic.twitter.com/5eoU8yziuL
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) 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
Mrs. Kennedy enters hearse to depart Parkland Hospital, this afternoon 1963: #DallasNews pic.twitter.com/xC5y0yJNRD
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) November 22, 2017
Thirty-four-year-old Jacqueline Kennedy reboards Air Force One, alone, this afternoon 1963, Love Field, Dallas: #JFKLibrary pic.twitter.com/JzKpj1QWC7
— 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
Pretty remarkable.