Columbus Dispatch -- Karen Pomante packed her son’s Christmas gifts and made sure to mail them by last Sunday’s deadline to reach Iraq.

Don’t send much, her 22-year-old son had told her. Vincent Pomante III would have to pack it when he came home. His three-year hitch with the Army would be up Jan. 9.

Instead, Pomante, a standout wrestler for Westerville South High School, will come home to full honors.

The U.S. Army specialist and tank gunner was killed Wednesday by an improvised explosive device. His family is still waiting to find out exactly how and where he was killed.

His mother learned of her son’s death Thursday, and family members, including the soldier’s younger sister, Amy, and his father, Vincent Jr., are making funeral arrangements.

Karen Pomante said her son was proud of his Army service.

"9/11 had a huge effect for my son and his friends," she said.

Her son, known to friends and family as "V.J.," was happy most of the time, his mother said. "He really liked being outside. He liked to fish. He liked to play Frisbee golf. He sailed with his friends whenever he could be anywhere near water."

George Crooks, Pomante’s wrestling coach at Westerville South, remembered the lanky kid who was "able to put anybody in the cradle."

Pomante, who was nearly 6 feet, 5 inches and wrestled at 189 pounds, had qualified for the district tournament in his senior year after a comeback victory against a wrestler from Hilliard Davidson.

"He jumped up in joy," Crooks said. "It was a good way for him to finish his four-year career."

Off the mat, Pomante was "always smiling" and was famous for bringing his sense of humor to the team. Four days before he had to shave his head for wrestling season, Pomante came to school sporting a mullet, Crooks said.

Now the only reminders Crooks has of Pomante are an American flag patch and an Iraqi dinar that Pomante gave him during a visit home last year. Both are hanging in Crooks’ classroom.

His mom had sent V.J. a small Christmas tree, some beef jerky, a new pillow and CDs of comedian Larry the Cable Guy.

"He thought he was going to be home by the end of February," she said.