Richard Anshus was born in 1947 in Minnesota. He entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on July 1, 1965, and was commissioned a 2d Lt of Infantry in the U.S. Army on June 4, 1969. Lt Anshus next completed Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Ranger School, and the Infantry Officer Basic Course before serving as a Platoon Leader with 3rd Battalion of the 325th Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and deployed to Fort William Davis in the Panama Canal Zone from February to August 1970. His next assignment was as a Platoon Leader with Company A, 2nd Battalion of the 1st Infantry Regiment in South Vietnam from September to November 1970, followed by service as Commander of Company D, 2nd Battalion of the 1st Infantry from November 1970 to February 1971. Lt Anshus served as Assistant S-3 for 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment of the 23rd Infantry Division in South Vietnam from February 1971 until he was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War on March 8, 1971. After spending 751 days in captivity, Capt Anshus was released during Operation Homecoming on March 27, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then completed the Pathfinder Course and the Infantry Officer Advanced Course before serving as S-2 of the 509th Infantry Regiment in Vicenza, Italy, from September 1974 to June 1975, and as Commander of Company C of the 509th in Italy from June 1975 to January 1979. Maj Anshus next served as Assistant to the Comptroller of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Pacific Division in Portland, Oregon, from January 1979 to June 1982, followed by service as S-3 Officer for the 325th Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg from June to November 1982. His next assignment was as a Ground Liaison Officer, G-3 for Air, and then Special Project Officer with XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg from November 1982 to July 1986, and during this time he participated in operations during Operation Urgent Fury, the Invasion of Grenada in 1983. LTC Anshus served as Security Assistant Training Manager at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg from July 1986 to May 1989, followed by service as a Ground Liaison Officer with XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg from May 1989 to April 1996. His final assignment was as a Ground Liaison Officer with Headquarters U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort McPherson, Georgia, from April 1996 until his retirement from the Army on July 1, 1997.

His 3rd Bronze Star Medal Citation reads:

Major Richard C. Anshus distinguished himself by meritorious achievement as a member of the Commander, Airlift Forces Staff, while engaged in ground operations against an opposing armed force at or near Point Salines, Grenada, from 25 October 1983 to 4 November 1983. During this period, Major Anshus contributed directly to successfully providing airlift for United States and Caribbean Defense Forces through his outstanding support to the Commander, Airlift Forces. Major Anshus' ability to grasp the ever-changing situation, determine requirements, and direct the correct responses assisted in the expeditious extraction of noncombatants from Grenada. The exemplary leadership, personal endeavor, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Anshus in this responsible position reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.