Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey With Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford
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Shortly thereafter, I was approached to write a book myself about my relationship with Jacqueline Kennedy, and I agreed to do so with Lisa McCubbin as the coauthor. The result was Mrs. Kennedy and Me. The experience of writing and then speaking publicly about the subject was very cathartic and gave me the opportunity to reconnect with fellow agents and Secret Service headquarters staff. In 2013, we delved into the details of the assassination with Five Days in November, which was even more cathartic.
Today, my life is once again filled with friends and love. I am closer to my sons and grandchildren than ever before. It is wonderful to be alive again.
PEOPLE OFTEN ASK me, if I had it to do over again, would I become a Secret Service agent? Without hesitation, my answer is always the same. “I’d be working right now, if they’d let me. It was the best damn job in the world.”
EPILOGUE
* * *
During the period I was in the Secret Service, I had the unique opportunity to witness history in the making, one step away from the most powerful person on the planet. It was a significant time of change in U.S. history, as we moved from the bucolic fifties to the turbulent sixties and seventies.
The five presidents I had the privilege to serve could not have been more different: Eisenhower, the revered general; Kennedy, the charismatic, young intellect; Johnson, the unreserved, deal-making politician; Nixon, the calculating, opportunistic introvert; and Ford, the ordinary man thrust into power. Yet there was one thing they all had in common: an enormous ego.
Each of these men faced challenges they could not have predicted or imagined. I saw how each of them had to dig deeply into their past experience and character to make critical decisions that affected the whole world.
Eisenhower was a visionary with exceptional organizational experience and strategic intelligence without any emotional distractions. He ran the administration with military precision.
Kennedy was rhetorically gifted, an eloquent public communicator with the capacity to inspire. His wise actions in the Cuban Missile Crisis made up for his early blunders in the Bay of Pigs and the Vienna Summit.
Johnson had an intimidating, oversized personality and the political skill to muster support for major domestic policies. But his massive military intervention in Vietnam, combined with an unrealistic vision for ending the war, became his unfortunate legacy.
Nixon had some major first-term successes—an opening to China, accommodation with the Soviet Union, and an end to the U.S. combat role in Vietnam—but his emotional flaws and insecurity led to his disgraceful downfall.
Ford was an ordinary man intent on doing the right thing. But his pardon to Nixon divided the country yet again and cost him a second term.
I saw their strengths and weaknesses as each wrestled with life-and-death decisions.
No one person has all the qualities necessary to be a perfect leader in every situation. America’s voters carry the responsibility of choosing the best person to lead our nation, and whoever that person may be, there is one thing for certain: they will face challenges that cannot be imagined at the present time.
As we choose our next commander in chief, we can, and must, learn from the mistakes and successes of our past presidents.
Clinton, mother Jennie, sister Janice, father Chris, Christmas 1942. Clint Hill personal collection.
Agents Frank Bales and Clint Hill stand post as President Eisenhower exits a Gettysburg church with a member of the clergy. 1959. Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
President Eisenhower enjoying a golf outing with Arnold Palmer. AP Photo/Paul Vathis
Huge crowds greet President Eisenhower in Karachi, Pakistan, as he rides with President Ayub Khan in the slow-moving presidential horse-drawn carriage. Dec. 1959. AP Photo
Crowds were so thick upon our evening arrival in New Delhi, India, that at times Prime Minister Nehru exited the car and beat the crowds with a swagger stick. Dec. 1959. AP Photo
SAIC Jim Rowley scans the surging crowd as President Eisenhower waves from the open-top car in New Delhi, India. Dec. 1959. Getty/SLADE Paul
President Eisenhower with controversial dictator Generalissimo Franco in Secret Service car 4-B. Madrid, Spain. Dec. 1959. Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
President Eisenhower, Press Secretary Jim Hagerty, Mrs. Eisenhower, and me in Newport, Rhode Island. Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library/Jerry Taylor
President Eisenhower with his hand on SAIC Jim Rowley’s shoulder as the crowd engulfs the motorcade in Manila, Philippines. Jerry Behn (left) and other agents form a barrier. AP Photo
President Eisenhower rides in the back of an open convertible in San Diego as I work the motorcade route. Clint Hill personal collection
President Eisenhower and Vice President Nixon—then a presidential candidate—ride together in an open-top car through the streets of Manhattan during the 1960 campaign. AP Photo
I keep a watchful eye on the press as President Kennedy meets with Secretary of State Dean Rusk in Palm Beach. April 1961. AP Photo
Nicole Alphand (wife of the French ambassador) interprets for Mrs. de Gaulle and President Kennedy as Mrs. Kennedy charms President de Gaulle using her fluency in French during the trip to Paris. 1961. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
Crowds and the press swarm around President and Mrs. Kennedy in Hyannis Port with me (behind photographer), and agents Bill Payne and John Campion. Aug. 1961. AP Photo
Keeping a watchful eye as President and Mrs. Kennedy exit St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis Port. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
President Kennedy sought advice from former President Eisenhower at Camp David after the Bay of Pigs fiasco in April 1961. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
President Kennedy signed this photo after learning I was injured while helping him and Chuck Spalding out of the rocks on the sailboat Victura. July 1962. Clint Hill personal collection
I had difficulty breathing at Mexico City’s high elevation as I jogged alongside SS-100-X. July 1, 1962. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
Massive amounts of confetti created a security nightmare as President Kennedy rode with President Adolfo López of Mexico through Mexico City. Two million people lined the motorcade route. June 30, 1962. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
President Kennedy jokingly chides me for allowing his friends to rest during the 50-mile hike. Standing left to right: Corpsman Tom Mills, JFK, Dr. Max Jacobson, and me. Chuck Spalding and Prince Radziwill on ground. © 2011 Mark Shaw/mptvimages.com
JFK presents me with a paper medal, “To Dazzle,” after the 50-mile hike. Behind left to right: Lee Radziwill, Dr. Jacobson, other friends, and Prince Radziwill. Clint Hill personal collection
We often wore tuxedos to blend in. Agent Jim Johnson, Mrs. Kennedy, JFK, and me, leaving a formal event. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
My favorite photo of President John F. Kennedy. Happy at the helm of Manitou. 1962. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
Surprise party for President Kennedy in the White House Navy Mess on his 46th birthday. JFK, Muggsy O’Leary, me, Mrs. Kennedy, Nancy Tuckerman, and other staff members. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
President Kennedy opening birthday presents aboard the USS Sequoia. Left to right: the back of Lem Billings, Ethel Kennedy, JFK, Paul “Red” Fay, Mrs. Kennedy, and Mrs. David Niven. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
President Kennedy rode in open-top cars throughout Europe, attracting massive crowds wherever he went, with only a handful of agents available to protect him. Cork, Ireland. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
President Kennedy treasured time with his children. Here with Caroline, summer 1963. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
I keep an eye on the press as President Kennedy, Caroline, and John exit the Otis AFB hospital af
ter visiting Mrs. Kennedy two days after the death of baby Patrick. Aug 11, 1963. US Air Force Photo
President Kennedy enjoying time with his children his last weekend at Atoka. Nov. 10, 1963. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
JFK squirms with laughter as a pony nuzzles him, with Tony Bradlee at Atoka. Nov. 10, 1963. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
President Kennedy laughs with John as they enter Arlington National Cemetery Nov. 11, 1963. Generals Ted Clifton and Godfrey McHugh (rear). AP Photo
President and Mrs. Kennedy prepare to depart Carswell Air Force Base for Love Field, Dallas. Me in sunglasses, Agent Ned Hall on right. Nov. 22, 1963. University of Texas at Arlington Library Special Collections
Turning onto Main St., Dallas, I crouched on the rear bumper to be closer to Mrs. Kennedy. Agents Jack Ready and Paul Landis scan the crowds from the follow-up car. Darrell Heikes, photographer, Dallas Times Herald Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza.
Expecting more shots were coming, I wedged myself up on the rear seat to protect the stricken president, Governor Connally, and their wives as we raced to Parkland Hospital. AP Photo
Trying to control my emotions as former Presidents Truman and Eisenhower pay condolences to Mrs. Kennedy (in car) outside St. Matthew’s Cathedral with the flag-draped coffin in the foreground. Margaret Truman, Ted Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy also in photo. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
Escorting Mrs. Kennedy with John, Caroline, and Robert Kennedy to visit JFK’s burial site on what would have been his 47th birthday. May 29, 1964. Lee Lockwood/Getty/LIFE Images Collection
President Johnson bids goodbye to Jacqueline Kennedy (with Robert Kennedy) at her 1040 Fifth Avenue residence as I look on. Oct. 1964. LBJ Library photo
I was standing just behind Agent Roy Kellerman in the doorway as Lyndon Johnson took the oath of office on Air Force One with Mrs. Kennedy by his side. It was surreal—and crushingly sad. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum/Boston
Flight crews run for their aircraft at the LBJ Ranch after notification that President Johnson wants to fly somewhere without prior notice. A typical occurrence. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
President Johnson discusses Vietnam situation with Joint Chiefs of Staff around picnic table on front lawn of LBJ Ranch. Clockwise from LBJ: Sec. of Defense Robert McNamara, a military assistant, Gen. Curtis LeMay, Gen. Earle Wheeler, Deputy Sec. of Defense Cyrus Vance, Gen. Harold Johnson, Adm. David McDonald, and Gen. Wallace Greene. Dec. 22, 1964. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
I walked alongside the left rear of presidential limousine SS-100-X—the same car in which JFK was assassinated—in Johnson’s 1965 Inaugural Parade. LBJ Library photo
In a secret meeting at Andrews Air Force Base, President Johnson conferred privately with former President Eisenhower on board a Jetstar aircraft. Oct. 5, 1965. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
LBJ stands out of the Mexican presidential limousine with President Díaz Ordaz as agents try to control the surging crowds in Mexico City, April 1966. I’m making a request of a Mexican official immediately in front of the car. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
Making preparations for a presidential movement in Honolulu. Left to right: Lem Johns, me on the radio, Dick Johnsen, and an unidentified agent. May 1966. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
A light moment on Air Force One. Left to right: LBJ, Sgt. Robert Duffey, me, Agent Bob Taylor, and SAIC Lem Johns (foreground). LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
As LBJ climbs out of the car into the overwhelming crowd in Honolulu, I stand in the follow-up car, scanning the scene and obviously upset by the president’s risk-taking. Oct. 17, 1966. LBJ Library photo by Frank Wolfe
Protestors in Melbourne, Australia, throw paint at the president’s car. Agents Lem Johns, Dick Johnsen, and Rufus Youngblood bear the brunt of the attack. Oct. 1966. AP Photo
It was a special occasion for the senior agents on the White House Detail and our wives to be invited guests for dinner at the LBJ Ranch. Dick Johnsen, myself, Peggy Youngblood, LBJ, Rufus Youngblood, and Betty Godfrey in foreground. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
Gwen and I pose with President and Mrs. Johnson at the LBJ Ranch. Dec. 1966. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
Rev. Billy Graham and President Johnson greet an enthusiastic crowd at the White House, as I remain close. June 14, 1967. LBJ Library photo by Kevin Smith
Russia’s Premier Aleksei Kosygin and President Johnson (Russian interpreter between them) meet at a quickly arranged summit at the home of Glassboro College’s president. Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin on right. June 23, 1967. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
I stand on the rear of the jeep as President Johnson and General Westmoreland inspect the troops during a surprise visit to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Dec. 23, 1967. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
I remain close to President Johnson as he shakes hands with the soldiers at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Dec. 23, 1967. LBJ Library photo by Frank Wolfe
I accompanied LBJ to retirement ceremony for Sec. of Defense McNamara at the Pentagon—a day when almost everything went wrong. Feb. 29, 1968. Clint Hill personal collection
President Johnson admonishing me for something as we disembark Marine One on the South Lawn. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
President Johnson on phone receiving information on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. as members of the staff watch news reports on three TVs in the Oval Office. LBJ Library photo by Mike Geissinger
Robert F. Kennedy’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Left to right: Ethel and Ted Kennedy; foreground: President Johnson; Deputy Director Rufus Youngblood and me. June 8, 1968. Getty/Michael Ochs Archives
President Johnson hosts Republican presidential candidate Richard Nixon and his staff for a briefing at the LBJ Ranch. Left to right: Spiro Agnew, CIA Director Dick Helms, Ron Ziegler, Nixon, President Johnson, Cyrus Vance, Bob Haldeman, Jim Jones, Tom Johnson, and Dean Rusk. Aug. 10, 1968. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
It was embarrassing modeling the custom-made ranch clothes LBJ gifted me. The president and secretary Marie Fehmer comment from the pool as Ken Gaddis laughs. Aug. 10, 1968. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
Meeting comedian Jack Benny with White House press aide Tom Johnson standing in the background. May 1968. LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto
Judy Agnew, President Johnson, incoming Vice President Agnew, and Mrs. Johnson at the White House on Inauguration Day 1969. I’m standing lower right by the car. AP Photo
I was riding in the right front seat of SS-100-X, as the other agents reacted to anti-Nixon demonstrators hurling rocks and other debris during the 1969 Inaugural Parade. Richard M. Nixon Library
I stood behind Vice President Agnew and his wife, and former President and Mrs. Johnson observing the launch of the Apollo 11 moon shot at Cape Kennedy. July 16, 1969 Clint Hill personal collection/NASA
The press had a field day with President Nixon’s uniform design for the White House police division of the Secret Service. I thought they were ridiculous. U.S. Secret Service Photo
Agents Chuck Zboril and Don Gautreau scan the crowd as President Nixon stands out of the roof amid swarming crowds in Manila, Philippines. AP Photo
Vice President Agnew visiting my mother, Jennie Hill, in Minot, North Dakota. My cousin Olga’s husband, Paul Froeming, is in the background. Clint Hill personal collection
Secret Service agents Ham Brown (rear) and Gary Jenkins with President Nixon during his predawn excursion to the Lincoln Memorial to talk to antiwar protesters. AP Photo
We ringed the White House complex with buses as hundreds of thousands of antiwar protesters amassed in Washington, DC, in May 1970. AP Photo