A city EMT who was honored by the White House for his 9/11 heroism claims he was short-changed by the Fire Department while recovering from surgery tied to his time at Ground Zero.

Gary Smiley, 48, who is described in court papers as “one of the most highly decorated paramedics” in the city, also says he was stripped of elite assignments after complaining that his wages were improperly withheld.

The Staten Islander is suing FDNY Commissioner Salvatore Cassano in Manhattan federal court for unspecified back pay and damages over alleged violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the city’s Administrative Code.

A spokesman for the FDNY declined to comment, but in court papers, the city cites “performance issues” that include Smiley being disciplined twice in 2009.