The widow of Chris Kyle's sniper colleague has hit out at the Oscar-nominated film 'American Sniper', claiming it portrays her late husband as a coward who 'questioned America's mission in Iraq'. Marc Lee, whose shooting death in the then-battle-torn city of Ramadi is graphically depicted in the $264million box-office sensation, was deployed abroad with the Navy SEALS  in April 2006. Over the next four months, he served alongside his Charlie Platoon 'brothers', including Kyle, who is played by Bradley Cooper and whose death aged 38 at a US rifle range is not featured in the movie. However, on August 2, 2006, Lee was shot dead in a gunfight after stepping into the line of fire to protect his teammates  - an action that saw him posthumously awarded two separate honors.
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Sniper Marc Lee was deployed to Iraq with the Navy SEALS in April 2006
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Over next four months, he served with 'American Sniper' star Chris Kyle
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In August 2006, he was shot dead while protecting his SEAL teammates
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Soldier's actions in the war saw him receive three awards posthumously
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But his wife, Maya Elbaum, claims film's portrayal of him is not accurate
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Says he is shown as coward who 'questioned America's mission in Iraq'
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Instead, husband was a passionate, strong and selfless SEAL, she says
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Trial of Kyle's alleged murderer, Eddie Ray Routh, is currently underway
This belief stemmed not only from @placeholder's desire to serve for his beloved country, America, but also to 'protect innocent Iraqis who lived in constant fear of terrorists', she wrote in the article.