The origins of the 5th Infantry Regiment "Aosta" date back to 1690 in the
Savoyard state. In December 1710, the Regiment incorporated the Regiment "Santa Giulia". On 16 September 1774, the Regiment assumed the name Regiment "Aosta".
Kingdom of Italy The Brigade "Aosta" with its two regiments was engaged in the
First Italian War of Independence, for which its two regiments were decorated with a
Silver Medal of Military Valor. In 1859 the brigade fought in the
Second Italian War of Independence, for which its two regiments were decorated with a
Gold Medal of Military Valor and then participated in the
repression of Brigandage in Southern Italy in 1861 and in
Aspromonte in 1862. For these operations the IV Battalion of the 5th Regiment was awarded a
Bronze Medal of Military Valor. In 1866 the brigade participated in the
Third Italian War of Independence. The regiment provided personnel for the
First Italo-Ethiopian War and the
Italo-Turkish War.
World War I At the outbreak of
World War I, the Brigade "Aosta" formed, together with the
Brigade "Verona" and the 22nd Field Artillery Regiment, the 23rd Division. At the time the 5th Infantry Regiment consisted of three battalions, each of which fielded four
fusilier companies and one machine gun section. On 3 July 1915, the 5th Regiment was sent to
Sella Nevea and Raccolana Valley, to support the troops of the 4th Army Corps that attacked the Austrian stronghold of Plezzo.
Inter-bellum years Interwar years In November 1926 the Brigade "Aosta" assumed the name of XXVIII Infantry Brigade and received the
85th Infantry Regiment "Verona". The brigade was the infantry component of the 28th Territorial Division of Palermo, which also included the 22nd Artillery Regiment. In 1935–36 the 5th Infantry Regiment "Aosta" provided 458 personnel (4 Officers and 454 troops) for the
Second Italo-Ethiopian War. The remnants of the division retreated to
Messina, from where they were evacuated to
Trento in Northern Italy between 9 and 12 August 1943. The division was officially declared lost on 18 August 1943. The remnants of the division in Trento were disbanded by
invading German forces after the announcement of the
Armistice of Cassibile on 8 September 1943. • II Infantry Battalion, in
Catania reformed as
62nd Motorized Infantry Battalion "Sicilia". The battalion was assigned the flag and traditions of the
62nd Infantry Regiment "Sicilia". • III Infantry Battalion, in
Palermo reformed as
141st Motorized Infantry Battalion "Catanzaro" The battalion was assigned the flag and traditions of the
141st Infantry Regiment "Catanzaro". In 1991 the 5th Motorized Infantry Battalion "Col della Beretta" was reorganized as a mechanized battalion. On 31 August 1992 the battalion was elevated to 5th Mechanized Infantry Regiment "Aosta" without changing size or composition. == Organization ==