Kernaghan has added his voice to renewed calls by Ordinary Seaman Sheean's family to award the Latrobe World War II hero a posthumous Victoria Cross after he immortalised Sheean's story in a song.

The song, Forever Eighteen, chronicles the story of Ordinary Seaman Sheean, who at only 18 years of age strapped himself to the Oerlikon gun of HMAS Armidale after it was hit by enemy fire in 1942.

Wounded and watching his fellow sailors drowning and being shot around him, Ordinary Seaman Sheean made the ultimate sacrifice by strapping himself to the gun.

It's believed he was able to successfully shoot down at least one enemy aircraft before HMAS Armidale sank in the Arafura Sea and Ordinary Seaman Sheean tragically lost his life.

Forever Eighteen is just one of the songs on Kernaghan's new album Spirit of the Anzacs, but it's one that Kernaghan said had stayed with him.

"It's strange, how a story of a man that I've never met can make you feel such a connection," Kernaghan said.

He said he learned about Ordinary Seaman Sheean's story while researching for the album and said it was his bravery and actions at such a young age that really inspired him.

"He was only 18 years old; what selflessness and courage to show at such a young age," he said.

Kernaghan said the story's poignancy really stayed with him because his youngest son, Jett, was about to turn 14.

Kernaghan said he would absolutely join his voice to calls for Ordinary Seaman Sheean to be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

"The spirit of the Anzac is inherent in Teddy Sheean; he really embodies what we think of when we think about Anzacs," he said.

"I absolutely think he [Ordinary Seaman Sheean] should be awarded a Victoria Cross; for him to take that initiative to strap himself to a gun and continue to fire, that act of valour needs to be rewarded."

Spirit of the Anzacs is Kernaghan's 17th studio album and is a collection of songs inspired by war heroes from both of the world wars.

Kernaghan said he had always been interested in war history and said there were many stories just like Teddy's that needed to be recognised.

Spirit of the Anzacs has also been made into an arena spectacular, with shows expected to start in August. The Arena Tour has been inspired by the songs from Lee Kernaghan's new album of the same name. This remarkable 16-song recording also includes some special guest artists performing songs written by Lee Kernaghan, Colin Buchanan and producer Garth Porter.

For more information go to http://spiritoftheanzacs.com/