The history and tactical functions of the infantrymen are very ancient, so much so as to trace their predecessors even in the "milites classiarii" of the Roman fleet. By convention, however, the origin of modern marines can be traced back to the "Real Marina" infantry corps, established on 21 March 1861, to defend naval ports and arsenals and equip warships with "Landing companies".
In 1878, the corps was disbanded, but the naval fusiliers remained operational: particularly skilled sailors with muskets who trained independently on board the ships on which they were in service. Riflemen were employed in Tunisia (1879), Crete (1889) and China, during the Boxer revolt (1900).
Decorated with a Gold Medal for Military Valor in 1911, for their actions during the Italian-Turkish war, the Navy infantry units distinguished themselves on several occasions during the First World War, so much so that immediately after the retreat from Caporetto, the Regia Marina set up four battalions of riflemen to prevent the Austro-Hungarian forces from spreading in the Po Valley, which was entrusted with the task of defending the extreme southern wing of the Piave front. Each of the battalions was assigned the name of the locality of which they were attested in defense: Grado, Caorle, Monfalcone and Golametto.
At the end of the conflict, Venice (recognizing its value in combat) gave its own symbol, the Lion of San Marco, to the naval riflemen, so that it could become their emblem, while 17 March 1919 with decree no. 444, of Vittorio Emanuele III of Savoy the name was assigned to the regiment Saint Mark. Since then, the department has experienced ups and downs that have seen it first fight on various fronts during the Second World War, then go through the phases of reconstruction, first growing and then downsizing, until it was put into a framework position for a few years; in 1965, heir to the old regiment, it was reconstituted as a battalion Saint Mark reaching today first returning regiment then rising to brigade.
Since its establishment, the marine infantry has achieved the excellence represented by the marine brigade Saint Mark, with its multidisciplinary and multidimensional capacitive complex which today fits into the wider organizational and operational context of the naval team. Today's anniversary represents the living testimony of history, of being men and women of Saint Mark, to belong to an elite unit of the Navy that continues to serve the homeland with the same courage, sense of duty, spirit of sacrifice, honor and loyalty. Venice, which was strenuously defended by the sailors, wanted to offer the Department not only the name of its patron, San Marco, but also the flag that is admired and respected in all national and international contexts. The "lion" that navy fusiliers wear on their chests not only represents belonging to the marine brigade Saint Mark, but testifies to the legacy of those values of honor, courage, spirit of body and love for the sea and beaches that have traditionally distinguished the Saint Mark.
Since 17 March 1919, therefore, the name of the patron saint of Venice has been inextricably linked to the naval fusiliers, the only military unit in the world that bears the name of a patron saint.
