Victor “Vic” Baccaro, graduated in 1940, and was truly the school’s first star student-athlete. From 1937-1940, he played football and basketball for four years and track for two years. Baccaro was captain of the football team in 1940, but it was on the track that he set himself apart.

In April 1940, Baccaro set the state record for the 100-yard dash with a time of 10.1, a clocking that would still be competitive at the state level today. Baccaro was also a member of the Berlin 880 relay team that broke the state record by .8 of a second. Baccaro along with teammates Fred Lowell, Pinto Cugno, and Walter Hubbard were called the fastest four men in Connecticut by the press.

Baccaro served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from December 29, 1942 to October 10, 1945 and was the flight engineer and top turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress stationed at Framingham, England. Victor was shot down on his 25th mission over Magdenburg, Germany and a POW for one year.

Victor was a founding member of the Berlin Athletic Boosters Club in 1963 serving 10 years with the Booster Club.

Victor is also a founding member of both the Berlin VFW Post and the Knights of Columbus.

Victor is an outstanding example of the “Greatest Generation” and of Berlin High School alumni.