Medal of Honor recipient suing firm

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer is suing a defense firm he says hurt his chances for a job by labeling him mentally unstable, court papers show.

Meyer was awarded the nation's highest honor for gallantry in battle two months ago by President Barack Obama for service in Afghanistan when he was a sergeant in the Marine Corps. He filed an amended complaint Monday to a suit he brought against BAE Systems in a state court in San Antonio in June, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Meyer, who left active duty in May 2010, alleges BAE Systems, where he worked for a time this year, ruined his opportunity to get a job with another defense contractor when a supervisor claimed he has mental issues and a drinking problem. He contends BAE painted him as having those problems after he raised objections to the British company's alleged decision to sell high-tech sniper scopes to the Pakistani military.

BAE said it would defend itself in court.

"Although we strongly disagree with his claims, which we will address through the appropriate legal process, we wish him success and good fortune in his endeavors," BAE spokesman Brian J. Roehrkasse said without amplification.

Meyer's attorney said his client would have no comment on the suit, the Journal said.

The newspaper said it wasn't clear what Meyer's job with BAE entailed.

Meyer was wounded as he made five trips to and from a battle zone to save 36 lives and bring back the bodies of four men.