Conversation so far:
What was one of the first awards that Chuck Yeager won?
In December 1975, the U.S.
Congress awarded Yeager a silver medal "equivalent to a noncombat Medal of Honor.
Why was he awarded this?
for contributing immeasurably to aerospace science by risking his life in piloting the XS-1 research airplane faster than the speed of sound.
Was he injured while piloting?
CANNOTANSWER.
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
Yeager is an honorary board member of the humanitarian organization Wings of Hope.
Is that something he founded?
Governor Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver announced that Yeager would be one of 13 California Hall of Fame inductees.
When was he inducted?
The induction ceremony was on December 1, 2009.
What else was he decorated for?
President Gerald Ford presented the medal to Yeager in a ceremony at the White House on December 8, 1976.

Question: Was there anyone of prestige there when President Ford awarded him the medal?
Self-contained rewrite: Was there anyone of prestige there when President Ford awarded Chuck Yeager the medal?