VICENZA, Italy – In a Feb. 26 ceremony, Soldiers from U.S. Army Garrison Italy marked a new chapter, formally receiving the Southern European Task Force, Africa shoulder patch.
This visible change signifies a deeper alignment, reflecting the garrison’s integral role in supporting SETAF-AF's evolving mission said Col. Scott Horrigan, USAG Italy Commander.
“This is a historic event,” Horrigan said. “We are now proudly displaying their shoulder insignia – a patch with a significant history – and solidifying our garrison’s support to the SETAF-AF mission.”
The patch itself, featuring the Lion of St. Mark, is instantly recognizable and carries with it a legacy woven into the fabric of Italy and U.S. military history. Dating back to SETAF’s formal activation in 1955, the design has remained largely unchanged, with the exception of minor tab modifications.
“If you take a close look, the Lion of St. Mark is on a red-white-and-blue shield, resting a paw on a book that says ‘pax,’ Latin for ‘peace,’” said Command Sgt. Maj. Riccardo Moreno, the garrison’s senior enlisted leader. “He's holding a dagger that represents peace through strength. Here in the Veneto, we often see the Lion of St. Mark – he's the patron saint of Venice.”
But the patch’s history extends far beyond its design. It represents generations of soldiers who served with distinction, embodying the very ideals symbolized by the Lion of St. Mark. The first U.S. Army Soldiers to wear the emblem were the 332nd Infantry Regiment, fighting alongside their Italian allies during the final days of World War I in the Veneto region.
The SETAF patch has borne witness to pivotal moments in history. In 1963, following the devastating Vajont Dam disaster that claimed thousands of lives, U.S. Soldiers wearing the emblem were among the first to provide aid and comfort to the devastated communities.
Throughout the decades, from humanitarian missions in war-torn regions like Iraq, Congo and Rwanda to peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia, the SETAF patch has been a symbol of hope and partnership. It was sewn on the uniforms of Soldiers during deployments to Afghanistan alongside the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team and continues to be worn with pride by those serving with SETAF-AF in exercises with African partner nations.
Today, USAG Italy Soldiers join a legacy that extends far beyond a mere uniform change, Horrigan said.
“They carry with them the weight of history, the commitment to peace, and the enduring partnership between Italy and the United States,” Horrigan said.
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