15th Alpini Regiment

The 15th Alpini Regiment (15° Reggimento Alpini) is an inactive regiment of the Italian Army's mountain infantry speciality, the Alpini, which distinguished itself in combat during World War I and World War II.

History
The regiment was created 10 October 1992 by elevating the existing Alpini Battalion "Cividale" to regiment. Between 1 October 1909 and 30 September 1975 the battalion was one of the battalions of the 8th Alpini Regiment. After the 8th Alpini Regiment was disbanded during the 1975 Italian Army reform the "Cividale" battalion, based in Chiusaforte, became one of the battalions of the Alpine Brigade "Julia". As the traditions and flag of the 8th Alpini Regiment were assigned to the "Gemona" battalion, the Cividale battalion was granted a new war flag on 12 November 1976 by decree 846 of the President of the Italian Republic Giovanni Leone. The two Gold Medals of Military Valor awarded to the 8th Alpini Regiment, were duplicated for the new flag of the Cividale, and the Bronze Medal of Military Valor awarded to the Cividale for its conduct during the battle for Monte Cimone di Tonezza on 23-26 May 1916 was transferred from the flag of the 8th Alpini to the Cividale's flag.

For its conduct and work after the 1976 Friuli earthquake the battalion was awarded a Silver Medal of Army Valor, which was affixed to the battalion's war flag and added to the battalion's coat of arms.

In 1993 the regiment participated in the United Nations Operation in Mozambique for which it was awarded a Gold Cross of Army Merit, but with the downsizing of the Italian Army after the end of the Cold War the regiment was disbanded on 11 November 1995.

Organization
When the regiment was disbanded it had the following structure:


 * CoA mil ITA rgt alpini 015.png Regimental Command
 * Nappina blu - Regimental supports.png Command and Logistic Support Company
 * Nappina verde.png Alpini Battalion "Cividale"
 * Nappina verde.png 16th Alpini Company
 * Nappina verde.png 20th Alpini Company
 * Nappina verde.png 76th Alpini Company
 * Nappina verde.png 115th Mortar Company

Source

 * Franco dell'Uomo, Rodolfo Puletti: L'Esercito Italiano verso il 2000 - Volume Primo - Tomo I, Rome 1998, Stato Maggiore dell'Esercito - Ufficio Storico, page: 508