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 the modern marines is 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 dissolved, but the Navy riflemen 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, especially for the heroic defense of the city of Venice. , so much so that the Venetian citizens decided to pay tribute to the marines, formed in brigade in 1917, with the attribution of the name and coat of arms of their patron saint: San Marco.
On March 17, 1919, the Regiment Marina San Marco was officially constituted by King Vittorio Emanuele III, out of four battalions: Bafile, Grado, Caorle and Golametto.
Since then, the name of the patron saint of Venice has been inextricably linked to the fusiliers of the Navy, the only military unit in the world that bears the name of a patron saint.
