Silver Medal to the Military Valour
Decree of 13th April 2006
Included in the Joint Task Force – Iraq on the framework of the "Ancient Babylon" Operation, the Engineer Regiment participated for about four months in all the operational activities related to the initial and more delicate phase of the Iraqi post-conflict crisis. For all the period the Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the 21st Regiment operated with extraordinary physical, moral, intellectual and professional efforts in order to satisfy the operational activities and alleviate the pains of the population. In spite of the dangerous and uncertain situation, characterized by prohibitive weather and environmental conditions but also by contrasts between the political-religious power and the tribal power, the Regiment did its best to ensure the success of the mission, showing courage and extraordinary spirit of sacrifice. In that context, with high professionalism and sense of responsibility, the men of the 21st Regiment were decisive against the unjust people and generous with needy people. They carried out all the activities aiming to restore the normal life conditions with determination, great effort and availability, thanks to their past experiences in other operations abroad. In particular they conducted interventions for the research of mines and explosive disposals with courage and sense of duty, but they also realized important infrastructures, restoring the security in the Province of Dhi Qar and strengthening the reconstruction of Iraq. Solid Engineer regiment, extraordinary motivated and resolute in the actions, that contributed to the success of the operations in Iraq, increasing the prestige of Italy on the international context. (Al-Nassiriyyah, Iraq; 26th June 2003 – 7th October 2003).
Bronze Medal to the Army Valour
Decree of 15th December 1981
On the occasion of the earthquake on 23rd December 1980 it promptly intervened in the Municipalities of Avellino, Laviano, Castelfranci, Castelnuovo di Conza, Gragnano, Lioni, Macedonia, Montoro Inferiore, Montoro Superiore, Naples, Serino, Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, San Michele di Serino, Santa Lucia di Serino, Solfora, Santomenna, Santo Stefano del Sole and Teora, that were considered the most devastated. Thanks to its hard work, technical expertise, organizational capability, high sense of duty and courage in the activities of excavations and demolitions, it permitted to save ninety-two people and extract more than a hundred corps from the ruins. Called for the emergency, from 23rd November 1980 to 31st May 1981, its men worked without any break to clear the ruins, restore the practicability and the main urbanization services, prepare areas for tent cities and prefabs and build two Bailey bridges. Example of civil and military virtues, high technical capabilities and generous altruism, it raised appreciation by the civil Authorities, recognition and esteem by the rescued populations. (Provinces of Avellino, Naples and Salerno, 23rd November 1980 – 31st May 1981). (To the 21st "Timavo" Pioneers Engineer Battalion).
Golden Medal to the Civil Merit
In the name of a consolidate tradition of rescue in favour of the needy population, the 21st Regiment intervened in the difficult operations for clearing the territories in the Regions of Campania, Basilicata, Molise, Calabria and Sicily from the explosive device and wartime remnants. The numerous interventions, with high spirit of sacrifice and abnegation, extraordinary expertise and professionalism, increased the heritage of civic virtues of the Italian Army, raising admiration and recognition by the Nation. (National territory, 2000-2005).
Bronze Medal to the Civil Merit
It was the first to intervene in the areas hit by a landslide, operating with high spirit of abnegation and competence in order to limit the damages caused by the natural disaster. Thanks to its men and vehicles it saved human lives, alleviate the consequences and the pains of the population but it also did its best for the gradual restoring of the normal life conditions. (Sarno, Siano, Bracigliano - 5th May 1998).