The 15th Infantry Regiment (RI15) (Regimento de Infantaria nº 15) is a unit of the Base Structure of the Army, stationed in Tomar, currently with the operating charge of organizing, training and maintaining the 1st Parachute Battalion (1BIPara) Rapid Reaction Brigade.
The RI15 is one of the oldest military units from Portugal and is the most decorated of the Portuguese Army.
The RI15 was created in 1762 under the name 2nd Infantry Regiment of Olivença, from the split into two units, from the Regiment of Olivença, created in 1641 as Terço of Olivença. In 1806, 2nd Infantry Regiment of Olivença was renamed to 15th Infantry Regiment. Since its inception, the regiment participated gloriously in all the campaigns of the Portuguese Army. After being installed in several locations, in 1901 the unit moved headquarter to Tomar which still remains today.
Chronology:
1641 - Creation of the Terço of Olivença / Regiment of Olivença.
1762 - Creation of the 2nd Infantry Regiment of Olivença from the split of the Terço of Olivença / Regiment of Olivença.
1806 - The 2nd Infantry Regiment of Olivença as the 15th Infantry Regiment.
1807 - The Napoleonic troops occupy Portugal. Part of the Portuguese Army is incorporated in the Portuguese Legion to be sent to France, and one of its battalions formed by troops from RI15. The legionary battalion participated in the Russian campaign, fighting at Wagram, Smolensk, Moscow and Borodino.
1808–1814 - The regiment is reorganized in Vila Viçosa participating in the Peninsular War campaigns integrated into the Anglo-Portuguese Army commanded by Marshal Beresford first and later by Marshal Wellington. Under command of Colonel Baker, the regiment distinguishes itself in the battles of Badajoz, Victoria and San Sebastian.
1817 - The RI15 deploys one of its battalions to Brazil where it takes part in the liberal movement of the Rio de Janeiro.
1824–1833 - The RI15 takes part in the civil war between liberals and absolutists, on the side of the liberal cause.
1834–1901 - The regiment suffered several reorganizations and transfers of their barracks being located successively in Estremoz, Lagos and Faro to settle in Tomar, where he still remains today;
1917–1918 - During the World War I, a battalion of the RI15 is integrated in the Portuguese Expeditionary Force sent to France, where it fights on the western front. The battalion distinguished themselves at the Battle of La Lys, receiving the honour to form to the right of all other units in military formation.
1926–1939 - The RI15 moved headquarters again to Lagos, returning to Tomar in 1939.
1941–1944 - During the World War II the RI15 deploys an expeditionary battalion to Portuguese Cape Verde;
1961–1975 - The RI15 becomes one of the largest units mobilizing troops fighting in the Portuguese Colonial War. Their expeditionary battalions and companies suffer a total of 637 killed in action.
1977 - The RI15 becomes responsible for the organization and training of the 1st Motorized Infantry Battalion of the 1st Independent Mixed Brigade;
1977–1993 - The RI15 renamed as Infantry Regiment of Tomar (RIT), returning to the previous name in 1993.
1998 - The RI15 shall depend on the Airborne Troops Command, with operational responsibility to organize, train and retain the 1st Airborne Infantry Battalion (1st Airborne Battalion);
2000 - The RI15 becomes responsible for the Battalion of Support Services of the Independent Airborne Brigade;
2001 - The 1st Airborne Battalion was renamed as 1st Parachute Infantry Battalion (1ºBIPara).
2006 - The RI15 becomes a unit of the Base Structure of the Army dependent of the Rapid Reaction Brigade, maintaining the same operating responsibilities.
Pistol
SIG P228
Assault rifle
IMI Galil ARM variant, paratroopers standard rifle.
Machine gun
Browning M2HB
Mortar
mGrW 82
Anti-tank weapon
Carl Gustav recoilless rifle
Land Rover Defender'90 TDI 4x4
Iveco Truck
Lockheed C-130 Hercules
Awards and decorations
Commandery of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword of Valor, Loyalty and Merit, Portugal - 1919
Medal of Military Valour Gold, Portugal - 1919
Croce di Guerra al Merit, Italy - 1921
Croix de Guerre avec Palme 1914–1918, France - 1958
Fourragère de la Médaille militaire, France - 1958
Order of Military Merit, Brazil - 1966
Medal for Distinguished Service Gold, Portugal - 1985
Gold Medal for Distinguished Service to Palma, Portugal - 1987
Honorary Member of the Military Order of Aviz, Portugal - 2002
Gold Medal of the City of Tomar, Portugal - 2002
Honorary Member of the Military Order of Christ, Portugal - 2006
