FINDERS keepers, losers weepers - it's the axiom of treasure hunters.

But not for Yeppoon's Brian Morris and his friend Rod MacKenzie.

Buried under sand at Yeppoon's Main Beach for about 70 years was a treasure that Brian said he would like to return to its original owner or his descendants if he can trace them.

In the 1980s, Brian's mate found an army signet ring and according to Brian's research, two different US Army units were stationed at Keppel Sands in 1943.

He said one operated DUKWs (amphibious wheeled troop-carrying vehicles) and landing barges out of Pumpkin Creek and practised assaults on Great Keppel Island beaches.

The other unit was a field artillery unit which trained using 75mm field guns.

Brian believed that unit was most likely the 147th Field Artillery of the South Dakota National Guard.

The US Serviceman's ring found on Yeppoon Main Beach. Photo Supplied

The army signet ring bears the emblem of the South Dakota National Guard field artillery.

Brian's friend Rod found the ring with a metal detector. It wasn't until Rod mentioned the ring to Brian about two months ago that the pair decided to try to track the original owner or his descendants. If anyone has contact with servicemen from the South Dakota National Guard, contact Brian on 07 4933 6650 or email morrispb@tadaust. org.au.

WW2 at Keppel Sands

Camp Caves was a US Army training camp north of Rockhampton. Built during WW2, the camp was in use from September 1943 until early in 1944. It was one of a number of US training camps in the area including Camp Nerimbera, Camp Thompson's Point, Camp Keppel Sands, Camp Yeppoon and Camp Wallaroo.