In what year was the title of Loblolly Boy classified as an official rate?

The title of Loblolly Boy was classified as an official rate in 1814. This designation marked a significant development in the history of the U.S. Navy's medical personnel, as Loblolly Boys served as the precursors to today's Hospital Corpsman, providing essential care to sailors during the early 19th century. The formal recognition of this rate reflected the growing importance of organized medical care within the Navy, acknowledging the vital role these individuals played in maintaining the health and wellbeing of personnel on ships.

The year 1814 specifically aligns with the establishment of standardized roles and responsibilities for medical support in naval operations, which would evolve over time but began to take on a more formal structure with this designation. Understanding this context underscores the historical significance of the Loblolly Boy title in the trajectory of Navy medical service.