BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Buffalo native who died serving in the Vietnam War is being honored more than 50 years later.

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park hosted a ceremony for Frederick Ziomek Saturday.

Thanks to the work of his family, local leaders and other Vietnam veterans, the naval park added Ziomek to its Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Upon graduating from Maryvale High School in 1969, park officials say Ziomek joined the Marine Corps and was quickly promoted to lance corporal. After serving eight months in Vietnam, Ziomek contracted malaria and died. He was only 19-years-old.

His family says they fought for decades for Ziomek to also be added to the National Vietnam Veterans Monument in Washington.

His name was inscribed there last September.