Lenny Kravitz's late uncle is set to receive America's highest military honour for his service in the Korean War.

Leonard Kravitz will be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor 63 years after he was killed in Yangpyeong, Korea in 1951.

Kravitz's army pal Mitchell Libman helped to get his late colleague recognised after discovering 138 Jewish soldiers received the Distinguished Service Cross, but only two were honoured with the Medal of Honor.

He tells the New York Daily News, "Lenny was a guy who would do anything for his friend, but he was a good quiet guy, not a killer type guy."

Libman lobbied former U.S. Representative Robert Wexler to review Jewish and Hispanic troops' valor citations and the report indicated 18 soldiers merited the honour.

U.S. President Barack Obama will present the accolades at the White House on 18 March (14).