San Marco is the name of the Italian Navy Marine Corps and his motto is "Per Mare, Per Terram" (By sea and by land) .

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It has a long history: in 1713 was constituted "La Marina" Regiment, then during the Independence wars the "Fanteria Real Marina" was formed by selected seamen keen in using firearms. They had also an important role during the Boxers' riot in Peking and during the Italian-Turkish war at the beginning of the century.
In 1915 at the beginning of WW1 it was reconstituted the "Marina" Brigade, with an artillery regiment and an infantry one.
This Brigade fought bravely in the Isonzo Front trenches side by side with the Army. But its contribution to the final victory is remembered most for their defence of Venice. After the tragic retreat of Caporetto all North-eastern Italy was in danger of an invasion by Austro-Hungarians and Germans and Venice was on the front line. Naval Infantrymen defended courageously this beautiful town and they saved it by being conquered.
For this reason the Italian Navy Infantry was named San Marco, like the Saint Protector of Venice, and its insignia was the winged lion, the Saint and Venice's symbol.
During WW2 San Marco Regiment fought in Greece and Africa, defending Tobruk, and lowered the last Italian flag in Tunisia during 1943.

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After the armistice with the Allies, San Marco Regiment fought against the Germans and was the first Allied corps to enter in Venice when it was liberated. Other San Marco marines, instead, fought together with the Germans until the end of the war.
After the WW2 San Marco ceased to exist in 1956 but it was reborn in 1964.
Today is one of the best troops of Italian Armed Forces and is based in Brindisi on the Adriatic Sea.
In the recent past San Marco participated to several international peace-keeping missions: protection of Palestinians in Lebanon during 1982 (losing 1 man, Filippo Montesi), in Persian Gulf during 1987, again in the Gulf war during 1991, in Somalia during 1992 and today in Albania.
The San Marco now has its own operational and logistic structure that allows a complete operational autonomy. The San Marco marines operates with three LPD (Landing Platform Dock) ships, San Giorgio, San Marco, San Giusto, helicopters SH3D and AB212, amphibian tanks LVTP-7 and light tanks VCC-1.

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Marines' training is very hard and selective, not all the recruits will become "Fucilieri di Marina"; the training includes maritime items as well as ground combat ones, a very great importance is given to the motivation and enthusiasm of these soldiers.

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