American Italian Flags

American and Italian Naval Flags crossed on white background.

The presence on this Italian flag of the crowned Savoy coat of arms identifies it as the Italian Naval flag (Bandiera da Guerra) in use during WWI. The only American unit to serve on the Italian front was the 332nd Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel William Wallace until its return to the United States in 1919 and subsequent demobilization. The primary goal of the regiment's deployment in Italy was to raise Italian morale and lead occupying forces of Austria and Hungary to believe that a much larger American presence had been established. The insignia of the 332nd was designed specifically to reflect this mission, and featured the lion of St. Mark (the symbol of Venice) resting his paw on a Bible that reads "332".