The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting the Bronze Star Medal to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Richard Cameron Anshus, United States Army, for meritorious achievement during the period November 1970 to February 1971, while commanding Company D, 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, in combat. Operating in an environment where the company participated constantly in assault heliborne operations, Captain Anshus established command and control procedures that permitted rapid assembly, loading of helicopters, aggressive assaults and issuance of highly effective fragmentary orders. These operations were accomplished on numerous occasions yet on each operation his men were well informed of the situation, as was evidenced by the unit’s response. His use and control of the re-supply helicopters were most effective and always complimented the tactical operation. Even in most adverse conditions, Captain Anshus made wise and most effective use of all available time to train his men and to learn from experience gained on each previous operation. Through his professionalism, personal leadership, example and concern for the welfare of his men he was successful in making his company the most responsive in the battalion. Captain Anshus’ performance of duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal to Captain (Infantry), [then First Lieutenant] Richard Cameron Anshus, United States Army, for meritorious service during the period February 1971 to March 1971, while assigned as the Assistant Operations Officer (S3), 2d Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, in combat. In that capacity Captain Anshus demonstrated professional competence and perception which assisted materially in the outstanding success in tactical operations enjoyed by the battalion. Captain Anshus was in a large measure responsible for the successful extraction and subsequent redeployment, in a continuous operation, of the battalion some 200 kilometers north of the Demilitarized Zone during a three-day time frame. His knowledge of the units in the battalion and their capabilities together with an outstanding ability to conduct rapid coordination of essential matters were prime ingredients in the successful conduct of the operation. The professional manner in which he controlled the operations center during the initial phase of the operation made for smoother and efficient execution of orders by all units of the battalion. On 8 March 1971, while on a liaison visit with an adjacent unit and a subsequent reconnaissance flight, Captain Anshus’ helicopter was shot down by enemy ground fire near the Demilitarized Zone. Captain Anshus’ performance of duty reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Army.