Today the Marina Militare Italiana celebretes one of the most important pages of its history: the Premuda action.

Ltd. Cdr. Luigi Rizzo was the pioneer of a new form of attack using MAS (Motor Torpedo Boats). After several daring and risky actions already carried out, on June 10, 1918, off the Dalmatian Island of Premuda, a commando composed by MAS 15 and MAS 21, guided by Rizzo himself and by Ens. Giuseppe Aonzo, managed to sink the Austro-Hungarian Battleship SMS “Szent Istvan”, inflicting heavy losses. Commander Rizzo became a great war hero and this date was chosen to celebrate the Italian Navy’s Day.

Today is an important date for underline the importance of the Italian Navy, always involeved in activities of social, humanitary, ambiental and scientific collaboration during the "dual use" initiatives.