"Aquensem legionem time"

It originated from the Desportes Regiment formed on 27^th October 1703 and become Regiment of Alessandria in 1796.

Dissolved in 1798 by the oath of allegiance to the King of Sardinia, it was reconstituted in 1814, becoming "Alessandria" Brigade the following year.

On 31^st May 1821 the Brigade was dissolved for having participated in political revolts; its personnel formed the temporary 3^rd line Battalion incorporated in December in the "Acqui" Brigade that became 1^st Regiment in 1831. It changed its name becoming 17^th Infantry Regiment in 1839, 17^th "Acqui" Infantry Regiment in 1871 and 17^th Infantry Regiment in 1881. It participated in the Risorgimento campaigns as well as in the repression of the "brigandage" and in the campaign of Crimea.

During the First World War it was on Mount Sei Busi, on Selz, on Carso and in Trento.

In 1926 it was renamed 17^th "Acqui" Infantry Regiment and assigned to the 14^th Infantry Brigade; in 1939, with the 18^th Infantry and the 33^rd Artillery, it entered the 33^rd "Acqui" Infantry Division that was dissolved in Cefalonia in September 1943.

Reconstituted on 1^st January 1948 for the "Grenadiers of Sardinia" Brigade, the 17^th was dissolved again on 30^th September 1975 to form the "Acqui" Brigade Command and on 1^st December to the 17^th "San Martino" Infantry Battalion that inherited its Flag. On 10^th March 1991 it was changed into 17^th "San Martino" Motorized Infantry Battalion, become Mechanized on 1^st October.

With the reorganization of the Army, the "Acqui" Mechanized Brigade was dissolved and on 25^th September 1992 the Battalion contributed to reconstitute the 17^th "Acqui" Infantry Regiment in Sora (FR).

Passed in the School-Training Area of the Army and at the dependencies of the Non-Commissioned Officers School, in 1995 it received the task of training the Volunteers of the Italian Army. Incorporated then in the Training Units Group of the Army, since 2004 the Regiment is located in the "Oreste Salomone" Base in Capua (CE). In 2005 the 17^th received the Honorary Citizenship by the City of Caserta.